The house band of Jimmy Kimmel Live! delivered a heartfelt tribute to their longtime bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, honoring his memory in the most fitting way they knew: through music, through silence, and through a symbolic gesture that marked the end of an era. Escobedo, who had been the musical backbone of the show since its earliest days, passed away on November 11 at the age of 59. His death left a profound void not only in the studio but also in the life of Jimmy Kimmel, who had considered him a lifelong friend.

For more than 23 years, the show’s band had performed under the name Cleto and the Cletones, a title that paid homage to Escobedo’s influence, leadership, and unmistakable sound. The name had become iconic to viewers of the late-night program, synonymous with energy, joy, improvisation, and the unique style that Escobedo brought each night. On Monday’s episode, however, the audience witnessed something unprecedented: the band appeared in the new title sequence under the simpler name The Cletones. It was the first time in over two decades that they performed without Cleto’s name at the front, a shift that carried enormous emotional weight. The change was not meant to erase him but to honor him, acknowledging that while he was no longer present in body, the music he shaped would continue.

Escobedo’s passing had been announced by Jimmy Kimmel himself, who shared the devastating news on Instagram. In his emotional tribute, Kimmel wrote that the world had lost “a great friend, father, son, musician and man.” He added that describing their heartbreak felt almost impossible, because Escobedo had been so much more than a colleague — he was part of the family. Kimmel explained that their friendship began when he was just nine years old and that the idea of growing up to work together on national television would have seemed like fantasy back then. Yet somehow, that dream became real, and the two had spent every day side by side on the show since its premiere in 2003.

Before his television career, Escobedo had built a rich musical life. He founded Cleto and the Cletones in 1995, recruiting his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., to join him. The band performed throughout Los Angeles and beyond, blending jazz, funk, soul, and Latin influences into a genre-bending sound uniquely their own. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched, Kimmel asked his childhood friend to help bring the new show to life. Escobedo agreed, and from that moment, his saxophone became one of the defining elements of the program’s identity. For more than 20 years, his solos punctuated comedic moments, his arrangements set the tone for the evening, and his presence anchored the energy in the studio.

On the Monday following his death, the atmosphere inside the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio felt noticeably different. Even before a single note was played, there was a heaviness that settled over the room, as if the audience and the band alike understood that this would not be a typical episode. When the band took their places, the absence of Escobedo was unmistakable. His chair stood empty, his saxophone resting nearby, and the musicians who had played beside him for decades looked visibly moved.

The opening number began softly, carrying a subdued emotional resonance that contrasted sharply with their usual upbeat style. The song felt like a whisper — gentle, deliberate, and filled with meaning. It was as though every chord was speaking on behalf of someone who no longer could. Listeners could almost sense that the band was communicating with one another without words, sharing a private grief in a public space.

As the music continued, something profound happened. The band paused mid-performance, allowing a moment of silence to blanket the entire studio. The quiet was so complete that even the audience refrained from shifting in their seats. Silence, often the absence of sound, became a powerful instrument that night. It was a gesture of respect, a space to acknowledge the enormity of the loss, and a reminder that some emotions can only be expressed without interruption.

And then came a gesture that surprised everyone — the kind of moment that needs no explanation and yet says everything. In tribute to Escobedo, the band members gently turned toward his empty chair. It was subtle, unannounced, and deeply moving. The audience could feel something shift, as though the entire room had inhaled at once and then held its breath. Even viewers at home could sense the weight of this silent tribute, a spontaneous act of remembrance that transcended words or music.

Jimmy Kimmel himself looked emotional as he addressed the audience later in the show. He spoke with tenderness about his friend, recounting stories from their childhood, their long working relationship, and the laughter they shared behind the scenes. Kimmel admitted that it felt surreal to stand on the stage without Cleto beside him. He described him as someone who brought joy without effort, who treated everyone with kindness, and who infused the show with a spirit that could never be replicated.

Audience reactions were immediate and heartfelt. Fans took to social media to share memories of Cleto’s performances, expressing gratitude for the music he had brought into their lives. Many commented that the band’s understated tribute was one of the most emotional moments ever aired on the show. Musicians around the country posted videos of themselves playing in his honor, celebrating his artistry and influence.

What became clear through the night’s performance was that Cleto Escobedo III’s legacy extended far beyond the notes he played. His presence shaped the rhythm of the show in ways that viewers and colleagues alike felt deeply. His humor, warmth, and unmistakable musical style created an atmosphere that defined Jimmy Kimmel Live! for more than two decades.

Even though the band has a new name now, every member made it clear through their performance that Cleto remains part of The Cletones—woven into every song, every arrangement, and every quiet moment between notes. His music lingers in the air, and his memory continues to guide them, reminding everyone that some legacies are carried not in names alone but in the lives they’ve touched and the art they’ve left behind.