Late-night talk show house bands are highly underrated. Not only do they make the performers sound good, they add ambiance to the shows. Stephen Colbert ended his run as The Late Show‘s host with Paul McCartney as the final performer, accompanied by original bandleader Jon Batiste and current bandleader Louis Cat. Sadly, a beloved musician from a popular late-night show is in hospice and nearing the end amid health struggles. Keep reading to find out more about the devastating situation.
Most Famous TV House Bands & Bandleaders
Talk show hosts get most of the headlines, but they often spotlight other important members of the show. Most late-night shows have a house band to play the intro, send the show to commercials and many other important details that viewers likely don’t realize are happening.
World-famous jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis was the original bandleader on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He left after three years to resume touring. The band’s guitarist, Kevin Eubanks, was promoted to bandleader, a role he held for nearly 20 years.
Other famous late-night band leaders include Paul Shaffer (Late Show with David Letterman), Jon Batiste (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), and Questlove with The Roots (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.)
Sadly, Jimmy Kimmel lost his childhood friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo III in 2025. Now another beloved late-night band member is in hospice and nearing the end.
Beloved Late-Night Talk Show Musician In Hospice Amid Health Struggles
John B. Williams was the house bassist on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for seven years beginning in 1972. He later performed with “The Posse” on The Arsenio Hall Show. Now 85, the beloved late-night show musician suffered a health crisis that left him in hospice.
His wife, Jessica Williams, shared the sad news with TMZ that her husband needed brain surgery after a recent fall. She revealed that he had already been battling dementia before the surgery but things have gotten worse.
John B. Williams requires round-the-clock care after a decline in health that left him in hospice. Jessica Williams is a renowned musician in her own right. She has an accomplished vocalist who often collaborated with her husband.
During his long career, John B. Williams collaborated with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and the Nancy Wilson Trio. His last two albums were dedicated to jazz pianist Horace Silver.
Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger