Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel’s Bandleader, Dies at 59

Saxophonist Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime musical director of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and childhood friend of the late-night host, died early Tuesday morning. He was 59.

Kimmel announced the news on Instagram Tuesday afternoon with this tribute: “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. 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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

Escobedo had been quietly absent from the ABC show for several months after falling ill. LateNighter understands that Kimmel canceled last Thursday night’s scheduled taping after Escobedo’s condition worsened.

A Las Vegas native, Escobedo grew up across the street from Jimmy Kimmel, beginning a friendship that would span five decades. The two met at age 9, performed in school bands together, and shared dreams inspired by their mutual admiration for David Letterman. “He was a child prodigy,” Kimmel told WABC in 2015. “Like the whole school would gather to watch. He’d get standing ovations.”

When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched in 2003, Kimmel made sure his old friend was by his side as bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones—a post Escobedo held for more than two decades. “Of course I wanted great musicians,” Kimmel said, “but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with. And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him.”

Before late night, Escobedo’s music career included stints with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey. He played alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones and occasionally sang during musical segments and comedy bits on the show.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Escobedo attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, before joining the band Santa Fe (later known as Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns). After touring with pop and R&B acts, he settled in Los Angeles and became a fixture of the city’s music scene, performing on commercial jingles and with top artists.

Music ran in the family: his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., a veteran saxophonist who once performed with the 1960s soul-rock band Los Blues, also played in the Jimmy Kimmel Live! house band. Escobedo Jr. told KABC in 2013 that he still got chills looking to his left and seeing his son beside him every night. “What dad doesn’t want to be playing along musically with their son? It’s a great, great feeling,” he said.

LateNighter sends its condolences to all who knew and loved Escobedo.

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