He was a choirboy in his youth at St. Lambert's Cathedral, Liège.
As early as 1562 he sang in the Imperial Chapel in Vienna.
In the years 1570 to 1571 we find him at the court of Archduchess Anna Maria for her wedding to the King of Spain Philip II.
From 1577 to 1582 Sayve served the Archduke Charles in Graz.
His brother Mathias de Sayve (before 1550–1619) was also active in the Viennese court chapel.