Home / Arts and Entertainment / Beloved Jimmy Kimmel Live Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III Passes Away at 59
Beloved Jimmy Kimmel Live Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III Passes Away at 59
12 Nov
Summary
- Cleto Escobedo III, bandleader and saxophonist for Jimmy Kimmel Live, dies at 59
- Escobedo and Kimmel were lifelong best friends since childhood
- Escobedo was a "phenomenal" saxophonist and child prodigy
In a heartbreaking loss for the entertainment industry, Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader and saxophonist for Jimmy Kimmel Live, has passed away at the age of 59. Kimmel, who was Escobedo's best friend since they were children growing up in Las Vegas, delivered a tearful farewell to his longtime collaborator and closest confidant.
Escobedo and Kimmel's friendship dated back to 1977 when Kimmel's family moved to Las Vegas and they became neighbors. The two were inseparable, enjoying countless shared experiences and adventures over the years. Escobedo was described as a "phenomenal" saxophonist who was a child prodigy, earning standing ovations in junior high school.
Escobedo's group, Cleto and the Cletones, has been the house band for Jimmy Kimmel Live! since the show's inception in 2003. Kimmel remarked that working together every day was a dream neither of them could have imagined. Escobedo's passing has left Kimmel and the entire show's team heartbroken, leading to a multi-day break to allow them time to grieve.
