What we know about death of Jimmy Kimmel's bandleader Cleto Escobedo aged 59

Jimmy Kimmel has paid tribute to his childhood friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, who has died aged 59.

The late night talk show host broke the sad news to viewers on Tuesday (November 11).

Saxophonist Escobedo had lead the show's house band, Cleto and the Cletones, since the show's 2003 debut.

He also toured with artists including Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony.

Kimmel and Escobedo grew up across the street together in Las Vegas and have been 'inseparable' since they met at nine years old.

The friends would stay up watching Late Night with David Letterman together, and when Jimmy landed his ABC show he pushed for a live band lead by Escobedo to be part of it.

Breaking the sad news of his death, Kimmel told viewers: "We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way

"But this will… This one’s the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was too young to go.”

He added the pair had 'so many adventures' together, including their 'own language that almost no one else understood'.

Kimmel also paid tribute on Instagram, writing: "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 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."

Elsewhere, 'Cold Hearted' hitmaker Abdul paid tribute to Cleto via social media.

She recalled how their paths first crossed when she watched Cleto play saxophone at a small bar inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

From the second she heard him, she knew she had to hire him for her band, despite his lack of touring experience.

"Cleto was pure light and soul both on and off stage," she added, in part.

What was Cleto's cause of death?

The celebrated musician's cause of death is yet to be disclosed.

Page Six reports Escobedo was taken into hospital last week, with Thursday's Jimmy Kimmel Live! replaced with a re-run.

The publication adds that he died from liver transplant complications.

At present, however, his cause of death is unknown.