Deft musician was ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ band leader

Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones, the house band for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” has died. The musician and lifelong friend of Kimmel was 59.

- By KairLyn HUAMANI

Kimmel confirmed Escobedo’s death early Tuesday morning in an Instagram post later that day, writing that “we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man.”

“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel continued. “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

The news of Escobedo’s death comes after a “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” episode was abruptly canceled Nov. 6, reportedly due to a “personal matter.” The cause of Escobedo’s death was not immediately released.

Kimmel said Tuesday that he would be taking the “next couple nights off” but that he wanted to be there Tuesday to speak about Escobedo — and to interview one of the evening’s guests, Eddie Murphy, whom he said Escobedo loved.