Born in the Santa María neighborhood of
Cádiz, he began performing at nightclubs in his hometown and later moved to
Madrid, where he joined
Alejandro Vega's Flamenco dance group. He became well known for performing with
Antonio El Bailarín in particular, but also
Manuel Morao and
El Serna and for various notable dancers, including
Matilde Coral. In 1974 Lobato received the
Enrique El Mellizo award at the national contest
Concurso Nacional de Córdoba and in 1996 he received the Medalla de Andalucía (Medal of Andalusia). According to writer and flamencologist
Manuel Ríos Ruiz, "Chano Lobato is an artist who gets emotional when he sings, who gets drunk with his singing, and quickly transmits his purest essence to the knowledgeable enthusiasts". Among the "palos" or varieties of flamenco songs and dances that he developed throughout his life are the
Alegrías. Lobato died on 5 April 2009 in
Seville. ==Discography==