Overview
- Kimmel announced Escobedo’s death early Tuesday via Instagram, calling the saxophonist and bandleader his lifelong friend since childhood in Las Vegas.
- During Tuesday’s broadcast, Kimmel delivered a tearful monologue and said Jimmy Kimmel Live! would take a couple of nights off.
- No cause of death has been released, and outlets note limited official medical details.
- Variety reported that Escobedo’s condition was the personal reason behind the show’s abrupt Nov. 6 taping cancellation, with affected bookings to be rescheduled.
- Escobedo led Cleto and the Cletones on the show since its 2003 debut, performed alongside his father Cleto Escobedo Jr., and is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children.