A Great Friend and Musician’: Remembering Cleto Escobedo III
Cleto Escobedo III, the saxophonist and bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s house band, Cleto and the Cletones, has died at 59 of Liver transplantation. The news was shared by host Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday, November 11, in a deeply emotional tribute that highlighted both their personal and professional bond.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man,” Kimmel wrote. “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 have imagined.”
Escobedo’s story is one rooted in friendship, community, and music. Growing up as Kimmel’s neighbor in Las Vegas in the late 1970s, he developed an early passion for jazz and funk, eventually forming Cleto and the Cletones—a vibrant, groove-driven band known for their humor and musical versatility. When Kimmel launched his ABC late-night show in 2003, he brought Escobedo along, cementing one of television’s most enduring creative partnerships.
For more than two decades, Escobedo’s infectious energy and sharp musicianship helped define the show’s sound. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., also performed in the band, adding a multigenerational dynamic that made Jimmy Kimmel Live! unique among late-night programs.
Tributes from across the entertainment world poured in following the announcement. Fans and fellow musicians remembered Escobedo as “the soul of the show” and “a quiet force behind countless joyful moments on TV.”
Music journalist and producer Larry Klein described Escobedo as “one of those rare musicians who made everyone around him sound better—not just technically, but emotionally.”
Beyond his work on stage, Escobedo was known for his generosity and humility. Kimmel’s closing words in his tribute reflected that spirit: “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.”
As fans remember his warmth and wit, Cleto Escobedo III leaves behind a legacy that harmonized friendship, family, and music—a rhythm that continues to resonate far beyond late-night television.