El Chocolate (Antonio Núñez Montoya, 4 May 1931 – 19 June 2005) was a

Flamenco Flamenco () is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Gitanos, gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Region of Murcia, ...

singer from

Seville Seville ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Spain, Spanish autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir, River Guadalquivir, ...

. He was one of the stars of

Carlos Saura Carlos Saura Atarés (4 January 1932 – 10 February 2023) was a Spanish film director, photographer and writer. With Luis Buñuel and Pedro Almodóvar, he is considered to be among Spain's great filmmakers. He had a long and prolific career th ...

's film

Background

Montoya was born in

Jerez de la Frontera Jerez de la Frontera () or simply Jerez, also cited in old English-language sources as , is a city and Municipalities of Spain, municipality in the province of Cádiz in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia, Sp ...

and was related to the Montoya clan. He grew up in

Career

He appeared in the film Los Torantos and recorded music with

Niño Ricardo Manuel Serrapí Sánchez (11 July 1904 – 14 April 1972), better known as Niño Ricardo, was a Flamenco composer, considered by some sources as the most accomplished flamenco player of his day. He played a significant part in the evolution of ...

and

Melchor de Marchena Melchor de Marchena (19071980; born Melchor Jimenez Torres) was a Spanish flamenco guitarist. Born in Marchena, Spain, he is considered to be one of the most representative artists with a "gypsy touch", along with Diego del Gastor. His love of fla ...

Recognition

He was awarded the second Giraldillo del Cante award in 2002.

Death

He was supposed to perform in July 2005 at the 40th Caracol Festival de Flamenco in

Lebrija Lebrija () is a city and municipality of Spain located in the autonomous community of Andalusia, most specifically in the Province of Sevilla. It straddles the left bank of the Guadalquivir river, and the eastern edge of the marshes known as L ...

, but cancelled because of his ailing health. He died in Seville on 19 July of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

in his home in Seville.

Partial discography

* Antonio Núñez 'El Chocolate' (Belter, 1968) * Mano a Mano El Chocolate/ Fosforito (Belter 1970) * Antonio Núñez 'El Chocolate' (Trama, 1977) * Los Cantes de El Chocolate (SAEF, 1980) * 50 Años de Flamenco, 1935–1985 (Olympo, 1985) * Los Cantes de El Chocolate (Perfil, 1986) * El Chocolate, Maestros del Cante (Hispavox, 1987) * El Chocolate, Maestros del Flamenco (Hispavox, 1988) * Antonio Núñez 'El Chocolate', Flamenco de Hoy (Coliseum, 1990) * Si Yo Volviera a Nacer (Senador, 1996) * Mis 70 años con el Cante (Palo Nuevo/Muxxic, 2001)

References

* Pohren, Donn: ''Lives and Legends of Flamenco'' (Society of Spanish Studies, 1988)
World Music Central
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chocolate, El Singers from Andalusia Flamenco singers 1930 births 2005 deaths 20th-century Spanish male singers 20th-century Spanish singers