Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bandleader, Dies at 59
Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bandleader, Dies at 59
Jimmy Kimmel reveals the death of his longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, a Las Vegas-born saxophonist who led Cleto and the Cletones since 2003.
Cleto Escobedo III, longtime bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the leader of Cleto and the Cletones, has died at age 59. The cause of death was not disclosed, and Kimmel announced the news on his Instagram, writing that they had “lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man.” He added that Cleto and the Cletones had been a daily dream come true for both of them.
Kimmel and Cleto were childhood friends who grew up as neighbors in Las Vegas. Their bond began long before the TV show, with a shared love of music and a penchant for turning everyday moments into a story. The comedian even recalled a playful anecdote from their younger years about Cleto’s bicycle with a sidecar, a memory that now underscores the close history they shared.
As the show’s house band since its 2003 premiere, Cleto played multiple saxophones—alto, tenor, and soprano—and occasionally sang. Beyond late-night stages, Escobedo had a successful career of his own, having toured with artists such as Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Earth, Wind & Fire. His father, who is also a saxophonist, performed in the band alongside him, highlighting a family tradition of music.
The news also comes amid a note of disruption around the show: Entertainment Weekly confirmed that the November 6 episode was postponed due to a “personal matter” related to the host, and a rerun was aired instead. The timing underscores how integral Cleto was to the show’s rhythm, both onstage and in the lives of those who worked with him.
Kimmel’s tribute spoke to a friendship that endured for decades: “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.” The outpouring of memories from colleagues and fans reflects the impact of a musician who became an essential voice in a beloved late-night program and a cherished friend to a generation of viewers.
Cover image source: Jimmy Kimmel’s Lifelong Friend and “Jimmy Kimmel Live! ”Band Leader Cleto Escobedo Dies at 59: 'We Are Heartbroken' 🔗
