Paula Abdul is mourning the loss of the late Cleto Escobedo.

After the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” bandleader died on Tuesday at the age of 59, the singer, 63, paid tribute to the musician.

“My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III,” Abdul wrote via Instagram on Wednesday alongside footage of the pair performing together while on tour. Escobedo played sax for the pop star.

“I first met Cleto when he was playing sax in a small bar at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas,” the dancer recounted. “I 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 didn’t have any touring experience yet.”

Abdul called his energy and talent “undeniable,” adding that “he went on to have an amazing career, reuni

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