José de Jesús Navarro Moreno, known as Chucho Navarro, was born on January 20, 1913, in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. He was the son of Silvestra Moreno and Juan José Navarro, a military band director. After his father's death when Chucho was three, his family moved to Aguascalientes, where he spent his childhood and adolescence. He began singing at the age of four alongside his sister Antonia, who taught him to play the guitar.

Navarro pursued medical studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) while living with his grandfather in Mexico City. During this time, he became involved with the music scene, collaborating with various artists and radio stations. In 1937, he formed the trio El Charro Gil y sus Caporales, which marked his first foray into professional music, leading to tours and recordings in the United States.

In 1944, while in New York City, Navarro co-founded the iconic Trio Los Panchos with Alfredo Gil and Hernando Avilés. The group became pioneers of the romantic bolero genre, achieving international acclaim. Navarro was the second voice in the trio, contributing harmony and guitar. He remained with Los Panchos until his death on December 23, 1993, in Mexico City.

Throughout his career, Chucho Navarro wrote approximately 150 songs, many of which were recorded by Los Panchos. His compositions include "Rayito de luna," which was nominated for the Grammy Hall of Fame. Navarro's influence extended globally, with performances across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. His legacy as a foundational figure in Latin American music endures through his contributions to the genre and his role in Los Panchos.