Overview
- Kimmel announced Escobedo’s death early Tuesday on Instagram, calling him a beloved friend and collaborator since childhood.
- Escobedo led Cleto and the Cletones from the show’s 2003 debut, with his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., also performing in the house band.
- Variety reported that Escobedo’s condition prompted the abrupt cancellation of the Nov. 6 taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
- No cause of death has been released, and the show is rescheduling guests while taking several nights off.
- Tributes highlighted Escobedo’s career as a saxophonist who toured and recorded with artists including Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, and he is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children.