Cleto Escobedo III dies at the age of 55

- November 11, 2025

Cleto Escobedo III

A Tribute to a Musical Life Well-Led

In the world of late-night television, where jokes, monologues and guest stars dominate the stage, the unsung heroes often live in the background: the band that sets the mood, the rhythm section that keeps the tempo, the bandleader who binds it all together. Such was the role of Cleto Escobedo III—a musician, saxophonist, bandleader, but above all, a loyal friend and creative force whose reach extended far beyond the nightly show. With his passing on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59, the entertainment world lost one of its steady, vibrant presences.

This blog is a celebration of his life, career, and legacy—written with SEO-best practices in mind (so you’ll see the name “Cleto Escobedo III” repeated, his key roles highlighted, and the structure set to engage readers). Whether you’re a music lover, late-night television fan, or simply curious about the person behind the saxophone, here’s a deep dive into the story of Cleto Escobedo III.

Early Life & Musical Roots

Born on August 23, 1966 (according to Wikipedia records, Cleto Escobedo III grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada—a place known for performance, showmanship, and entertainment culture. In that environment, he found his calling early. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., had already been a saxophonist, and the younger Escobedo was exposed to music, instruments and live performance very naturally.Around age 11, he picked up the saxophone—his father had a pro-level instrument lying unused, and Cleto III began to learn. Quickly, his ability showed, and by his early teens he was improvising and performing in local venues.

During this time, a key friendship formed—he and future television host Jimmy Kimmel grew up across the street from one another, bonded over humor, music, and a shared path. Kimmel later referred to Escobedo as “my longtime bandleader” and “inseparable since I was nine years old.”

Building a Career: Touring, Session Work & Skills

Before the late-night spotlight, Escobedo built serious credentials. He toured with big-name artists like Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony, and he performed with saxophone legends and funk/R&B greats. He also formed his own ensemble, was involved in studio work (commercials, television, film), and developed a versatility essential to his later role. From straight-ahead jazz to funk, rock to pop, he could adapt. As Escobedo himself once explained:

“I knew [the band] had to be very versatile — able to play every kind of music and play things on the fly.”

In this way, his musicianship was not just virtuosic but pragmatic—a bandleader who understood that the show must go on, the cues must be met, and the audience must be engaged.

Joining “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and the Rise to Late Night

When Jimmy Kimmel landed his own late-night show in 2003, he made a conscious decision: he wanted his friend and saxophonist to lead the house band. That show was Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Cleto Escobedo III became the bandleader of the house band, Cleto and the Cletones, and thus assumed a nightly presence in millions of homes across America.What made this transition remarkable:

The chemistry between Kimmel and Escobedo: Kimmel said: “Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with. And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him.”
The stability of the role: Escobedo held the position for more than two decades—from 2003 to 2025—anchoring the show’s musical identity.
The blending of personal friendship and professional partnership: Their friendship predates the show; the show benefited from that trust.

Within the band, Escobedo’s father also joined, creating a unique father-son saxophone presence in the house band.

Style, Influence and Legacy in Performance

As bandleader and saxophonist, Escobedo had a signature presence:

Playing alto, tenor and soprano saxophones—showing his range.
Bringing a live-band energy to the late-night format, which many shows lack.
Crafting musical interludes, transitions, and themes that elevated the variety-show format.

His influence reached beyond his instrument: By leading a band that could pivot stylistically, he helped shape the tone of the show—whether backing a comedic bit, a musical guest, or a talk show segment. In the musician-community view, Escobedo was also praised for leadership:

“Musically they are very versatile … And they are all my best friends, so I’ve known these guys forever. We can shoot each other looks and we know what to do, what to play.” — Escobedo on his band members. American Federation of Musicians

For young musicians, he modeled a path: musical excellence paired with professionalism, adaptability paired with personal integrity.

The News: Passing and Remembrance

On November 11, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel announced the death of Cleto Escobedo III at age 59. The cause of death has not been officially disclosed in all sources, though some outlets reference complications from a liver transplant. Here are some of the core facts:

Escobedo died Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Kimmel posted on Instagram:
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
He recalled: “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.”
The scheduled Nov. 6 episode of the show had been postponed/shifted, due to “a personal matter” linked to Escobedo’s condition according to several outlets. His survivors include his wife (Lori) and two children.

The tributes that followed were many: colleagues, band members, guests, and viewers acknowledged his spirit, his loyalty and his contribution to the show’s identity.

Why Cleto Escobedo III’s Story Matters

In the broader scope of entertainment and music, Escobedo’s life offers several lessons:

Loyalty that pays off – His decade-long friendship with Kimmel yielded a partnership that was personal and enduring.
Musical versatility is key – In a changing media landscape, being able to pivot across genres and formats made him indispensable.
Presence behind the scenes matters – Though names like hosts, guests and stars get headlines, the bandleader sets the pace, the mood and the continuity.
Live music still has power – At a time when many shows use canned tracks or minimal performance, Cleto and the Cletones gave nightly testimony to musical performance’s impact.
Balancing family and career – Escobedo once reflected that his role allowed him to stay closer to his family compared to touring nonstop.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy That Resounds

As we reflect on Cleto Escobedo III’s life and career, it might help to imagine the nightly taping of a late-night show: the audience laughs, the guests engage, the host riffs—but beneath it all is the groove, the transitions, the live band reacting in real time. Escobedo was at the heart of that groove. The saxophone riffs, the cue-to-cue changeups, the musical textures behind a smile or a punchline—they all bore his imprint.

His passing leaves a void—not only for his family and close friends but for the rhythm section of late-night television. Yet the legacy is rich:

Over twenty years of continuous performance on one of America’s most-watched late-night shows.
A father-son saxophone duo that made television’s house band both a musical act and a family act.
A model for musicians balancing path, partnership and performance.
A testament to friendship turned professional success.

In his own words and in the words of those who knew him, the message was clear: “Cherish your friends.” That simple statement—shared in Kimmel’s tribute—captures the heart of their long journey together.

For anyone seeking to understand not just the man, but his broader significance—be it for music fans, television watchers or aspiring bandleaders—Cleto Escobedo III’s story stands as one of talent, trust and tenacity.

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