The โStraight Upโ singer shared a sweet tribute Instagram Nov. 11 saying, โMy heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III.โ
Noting she first met Cleto when he was playing the saxophone at a small bar at Las Vegasโ Caesars Palace, Paula recalled, โI was putting together my band for my first world tour and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he didnโt have any touring experience yet.โ
She gushed that Cletoโs โtalent and energy were undeniableโ and that she was thrilled to see him โhave an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!โ
โCleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage,โ she wrote. โSending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him.โ


