Cleto Escobedo III

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Cleto Escobedo III
Escobedo performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Background information
Born
Cleto Valentine Escobedo III

(1966-08-23)August 23, 1966
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 2025(2025-11-11) (aged 59)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresJazz, funk, rock[1]
Occupation(s)Bandleader, musician
Instruments
Years active1985–2025
Formerly ofCleto and the Cletones

Cleto Valentine Escobedo III[2] (August 23, 1966 – November 11, 2025) was an American musician and bandleader. He led Cleto and the Cletones, the house band for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, appearing on the show from its inception in 2003 until his death in 2025. Escobedo began his career touring with Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony before joining the late-night show.

Early life

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Escobedo was born on August 23, 1966, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Cleto Escobedo Jr. and Sylvia Escobedo.[2] His father, a musician who also worked as a valet for entertainers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Tom Jones,[3] set aside his career to raise his son but later appeared in his son's band on Jimmy Kimmel Live![1] At his mother's suggestion, Escobedo learned to play the saxophone under his father's instruction.[1][2] After high school, he attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he performed with several jazz bands.[2] He initially pursued a degree in political science but took a semester off to become a full-time musician.[1]

Escobedo had known Jimmy Kimmel since he was around 12 years old and Kimmel was 11; they first met in 1977, when Kimmel's family moved to Las Vegas, across the street from Escobedo.[4][5] They both attended Guinn Junior High School, where their friendship developed.[3] As children, the pair often stayed up late watching Late Night with David Letterman together.[3][6]

Career

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Before joining Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show, Escobedo performed across Las Vegas.[3] In 1991, he toured with Paula Abdul in support of her album Spellbound.[1] He subsequently became a member of Cecilia Noël and the Wild Clams.[7] In 2003, while on tour with Marc Anthony, Escobedo was invited to join Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, having previously worked with him on the Comedy Central series The Man Show.[6] The request came at an opportune time, as Escobedo had been considering leaving music before receiving the offer.[8]

Escobedo formed Cleto and the Cletones and performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its inception until his death.[9] In 2003, he co-wrote the show's theme song with Kimmel's brother Jonathan and Les Pierce.[10] During his time on the show, Escobedo collaborated with musicians including Jimmy Vivino of Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Paul Shaffer, bandleader of Late Night with David Letterman.[11] He also joined other late-night television musicians in advocating for networks to pay musicians for appearances on YouTube.[12]

Personal life and death

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Escobedo lived in Studio City with his wife Lori and their two children.[1]

Escobedo died at UCLA Medical Center on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59, following several months of illness.[9][13] Kimmel announced Escobedo's death on social media and eulogized him in that evening's monologue. He announced on that night's show that he would take two nights off to mourn.[5][14] Escobedo's cause of death was revealed to be cardiogenic shock, in turn caused by complications from a liver transplant, with disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver listed as contributing factors.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Terry, Mike (October 9, 2014). "A Chance To Give Back". San Fernando Valley Sun. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Escobedo, Cleto (January 4, 2022). "Oral History Interview of Cleto Escobedo III" (Interview). Interviewed by Sánchez, Daniel Urbina. Texas Tech University. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Fischer, David (2019). Jimmy Kimmel: Late-Night Talk Show Host. New York: Enslow Publishing. pp. 22–24. ISBN 9781978505179. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  4. ^ "Cleto and the Cletones: Late Night Family Demands Respect". International Musician. August 4, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Madani, Doha (November 11, 2025). "Jimmy Kimmel announces death of bandleader and close friend Cleto Escobedo III". NBC News. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Dodd, Katie (February 2010). "Music of the Night" (PDF). Music & Musicians. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Halperin, Shirley (November 14, 2025). "Cleto Escobedo III Remembered by 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Bandmate: 'Every Note Had Purpose and Soul'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  8. ^ "Jimmy Kimmel's childhood friend doubles as band leader". WABC. April 27, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Porter, Rick (November 11, 2025). "Cleto Escobedo III, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Bandleader, Dies at 59". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (November 11, 2025). "Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel Live Band Leader, Dead at 59". Consequence. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  11. ^ Riccardo, Nick (April 2, 2025). "Late Night Bands Collide: Jimmy Vivino to Sit in With Cleto and the Cletones". LateNighter. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "TV Musicians Demand Respect". American Federation of Musicians. December 7, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  13. ^ Deb, Sopan (November 11, 2025). "Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel's Bandleader, Dies at 59". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (November 11, 2025). "Jimmy Kimmel Cries Throughout Tribute to Lifelong Friend Cleto Escobedo After Band Leader's Death: 'It's Just Not Fair'". People. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  15. ^ https://people.com/cleto-escobedo-cause-of-death-revealed-jimmy-kimmel-band-leader-11848855
  16. ^ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cleto-escobedo-iii-cause-of-death-revealed-1235465652/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
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