Jimmy Kimmel's eponymous late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will take a brief hiatus this month. "We're going to take the next couple of nights off," Kimmel, 57, said during his Tuesday, November 11, monologue, which he used to eulogize his longtime bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, after his recent death. "I want to be here tonight to tell you about my friend." Kimmel had broken down in tears in his opening speech, recalling how he met Escobedo during his childhood and revealing why he filmed Tuesday's episode. "Also, Cleto loved Eddie Murphy a lot, and I don't think he would have wanted us to miss this," the TV host added, referring to Tuesday's on-air guest. "So, we will be right back with Eddie Murphy." Why 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Unexpectedly Canceled Episode After Past Suspension Jimmy Kimmel Live! did not air a new episode on Thursday, November 6, days before Kimmel confirmed Escobedo's death at 59. "Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III," Kimmel wrote via Instagram earlier on Tuesday. "To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was 9 years old." He continued, "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." Kimmel and Escobedo met as kids in Nevada, soon fostering a lifelong bond. After the comedian landed his ABC talk show in 2002, he enlisted Escobedo as the bandleader. Mike Campbell sits in with Cleto Escobedo III's Cleto and the Cletones band on a March 2025 episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Disney/Randy Holmes "I wanted Cleto to lead my band," Kimmel recalled on Tuesday night. "The idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying. It had to be him. I was so scared they would say no and I would have to have another band. I had to work up the nerve to bring it up. Because I knew [saying], 'My best friend from growing up plays the saxophone, he could lead the band,' wasn't a great pitch. Not only did I want Cleto to lead the band, I wanted his dad to be in the band. We've been working together every day for almost 23 years now." Why Jimmy Kimmel Used to 'Pray' ABC Would Cancel His Talk Show He added, "I've always said the single best thing about doing this show was getting the opportunity to allow Cleto Sr. to pick up where he left off in 1966 and become a musician again, with his son. Cleto Sr. and his [wife], Sylvia, have been like my second parents since I was in the 4th grade. I've known them [for] 47 years and these people have never once yelled at me. Not one time. They are the best people." Escobedo, who died following an undisclosed illness, is survived by his wife and two children. "I hope I can remind [Cleto's kids] as they grow up how much he loves them because it's a lot," Kimmel concluded. "I mean, everyone loves Cleto. Everyone here at the show [is] devastated by this. It's just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person."