José Barrios was born in Cordoba, Spain where he began his Flamenco dance studies. He also studied in Sevilla and Madrid, Spain with Monolo Marín, Domingo Ortega, and La China, to name a few. His dance career began when he performed in a variety of festivals in Andalucia sharing the stage with first class artists from all over Spain. José performs regularly in Madrid at various tablaos throughout the city including Casa Patas, Corral de la Moreria, Corral de la Pacheca and Café de Chinitas, among others. He also performs with the companies of Blanca del Rey, Spanish Suite, Rafael Amargo, Domingo Ortega and José Porcel for whom he has choreographed. He has worked in the United States as a choreographer and dancer for the Boston Flamenco Ballet. José has taught in Japan at the dance schools of Osaka and Kyoto where he performed with Belen Maya at the Jal Kyoto Festival in Japan.

In 2002 José was invited to be a dancer for the María Pagés Dance Company. He has choreographed for dance pieces such as "Canciones antes de una guerra", "Sevilla" and "Autorretrato". In collaboration with María Pagés, he choreographed an experimental work for the dancers of the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. He has also collaborated in other various choreographic projects such as choreographing for the flamenco show "Parque España", which was shown in Japan for five consecutive years.

José has also performed for the annual world tour of the Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas’ show, "Basicamente Flamenco", which was presented at the Gala Theater of Washington in the USA, at the Cairo Opera House in Egypt, and at the Festival Cultural de Assilah in Morocco.

In 2010 José was invited as a guest artist for the Festival de Cante Flamenco de Miami. Shortly after he presented his show, "Por si acaso Amanece", in Agadir, Morocco for the closing event of the Spanish president’s visit to Morocco. "Por si acaso Amanece" was also presented in the Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas’ annual United States tour, to which he was invited again to participate in 2011 with his new work Flamenco "Algarabía".