Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has left this world at the tender age of 59. The late-night talk show host took to social media on Tuesday to pay tribute to his dear friend, describing their relationship as "heartbreaking."
The two met as children in Las Vegas, where they grew up just across the street from each other. What started as a casual encounter on the street soon blossomed into an inseparable friendship. Their shared sense of humor and camaraderie made them an unlikely yet formidable duo that transcended time.
As Escobedo transitioned to a career in music, specializing in saxophone, he went on to tour with notable acts like Phillip Bailey from Earth, Wind and Fire, and Paula Abdul. His work also involved recording sessions with Marc Anthony, Tom Scott, and Take Six. When Jimmy Kimmel secured his own late-night talk show in 2003, Escobedo was the top choice for lead musician.
Kimmel credits Escobedo not only for his exceptional musical skills but also for their undeniable chemistry. "Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with," Kimmel once revealed to WABC in 2015. Their bond extended beyond the realm of music, as they shared fond memories of playing pranks on each other and even a memorable sidecar bicycle escapade.
Sadly, news of Escobedo's passing comes after Thursday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was abruptly canceled. David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer were set to join the show as guests, but it seems that fate had other plans for the evening.
Escobedo is survived by his wife Lori, their two children, and even his own father, who joins him on stage as a member of the Kimmel house band, playing tenor and alto saxophones. The duo's nearly two-decade collaboration has been nothing short of remarkable.
In the end, it's clear that Escobedo's greatest asset – his ability to bring people together through music – will be deeply missed by those who knew him and worked with him. His legacy lives on, not just through the countless memories he left behind but also through the bond he shared with Jimmy Kimmel and their loyal audience.
The two met as children in Las Vegas, where they grew up just across the street from each other. What started as a casual encounter on the street soon blossomed into an inseparable friendship. Their shared sense of humor and camaraderie made them an unlikely yet formidable duo that transcended time.
As Escobedo transitioned to a career in music, specializing in saxophone, he went on to tour with notable acts like Phillip Bailey from Earth, Wind and Fire, and Paula Abdul. His work also involved recording sessions with Marc Anthony, Tom Scott, and Take Six. When Jimmy Kimmel secured his own late-night talk show in 2003, Escobedo was the top choice for lead musician.
Kimmel credits Escobedo not only for his exceptional musical skills but also for their undeniable chemistry. "Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with," Kimmel once revealed to WABC in 2015. Their bond extended beyond the realm of music, as they shared fond memories of playing pranks on each other and even a memorable sidecar bicycle escapade.
Sadly, news of Escobedo's passing comes after Thursday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was abruptly canceled. David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer were set to join the show as guests, but it seems that fate had other plans for the evening.
Escobedo is survived by his wife Lori, their two children, and even his own father, who joins him on stage as a member of the Kimmel house band, playing tenor and alto saxophones. The duo's nearly two-decade collaboration has been nothing short of remarkable.
In the end, it's clear that Escobedo's greatest asset – his ability to bring people together through music – will be deeply missed by those who knew him and worked with him. His legacy lives on, not just through the countless memories he left behind but also through the bond he shared with Jimmy Kimmel and their loyal audience.
I'm so saddened to hear about Cleto's passing... 59 is way too young! 
He was more than just a musician, he brought people together through his music & friendship with Jimmy Kimmel 
. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable, but it's the memories they shared off stage that will be really missed 
. Time flies when you're having fun, right? We'll always remember Cleto for his music & the impact he had on people's lives 
and the music he brought to Jimmy Kimmel Live! 
what's wrong with these late night shows tho? first it's Escobedo leaving us too soon, now Thursday's episode is getting canceled on short notice... seems like a pattern here 
RIP cleto, your legacy lives on in jimmy's heart 
? Jimmy Kimmel's tribute on social media broke my heart tho 
... rest in peace, cleto, you will be deeply missed 
. Their friendship and musical chemistry were undeniable 
. I'm still in shock about the sudden passing at 59 
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. Their chemistry on stage is legendary and it's clear they had a deep bond off stage too 
. Guess life has other plans sometimes 
. Always sayin', when someone leaves us too soon, it's like a piece of your favorite song gets ripped out 
. Rest in peace, Cleto... your music will live on 
... I mean can you even imagine jimmy kimmel live without him? it's just not the same 
... their friendship is an inspiration to me, we should all strive to find people who get us like that 
... rest in peace cleto, you'll never be forgotten 
he was like a part of the fam... I mean, have you seen Jimmy Kimmel Live! when Escobedo is on stage? it's like magic 
they had this special chemistry that made the whole show come alive... and now that he's gone, it feels like a piece of our late-night talk show world has been taken away 
anyway, I'm sure his legacy will live on through Jimmy Kimmel and all the good times they shared... we'll miss him 
the fact that they shared so much beyond music is what makes their bond truly special 
. Rest in peace Cleto 
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. But it wasn't just about the music, it was about the chemistry between him and Jimmy Kimmel. They were like two peas in a pod - they knew how to make each other laugh and have fun.
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