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Cleto Escobedo III, Longtime 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Bandleader, Dies at 59

The announcement follows reports that his illness prompted last week’s abrupt taping cancellation.

Overview

  • Jimmy Kimmel disclosed Escobedo’s death on Instagram on Tuesday, calling him a dear friend since childhood.
  • No official cause of death has been released, and reports of liver-transplant complications remain unconfirmed.
  • Variety confirmed Escobedo’s medical condition was the personal reason behind the Nov. 6 cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
  • Escobedo led Cleto and the Cletones since the show’s 2003 launch and had been absent for months after falling ill.
  • A noted saxophonist, he toured with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, and performed on the show alongside his father.