# Who is the best late-night TV band leader?

> Jazz virtuosos, a rock drummer and a comedian with a keyboard have all run the house band. Someone made the show sound like itself.

*By YPB Team · Published September 25, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-late-night-tv-band-leader*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Paul Shaffer**
   David Letterman's band leader and sidekick on Late Night and the Late Show for 33 years.
2. **Doc Severinsen**
   Trumpeter who led The Tonight Show Band under Johnny Carson.
3. **Questlove**
   Drummer of The Roots, house band for Jimmy Fallon.
4. **Jon Batiste**
   Stay Human leader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Grammy album of the year winner.
5. **Branford Marsalis**
   Jazz saxophonist who led Jay Leno's first Tonight Show band.
6. **Kevin Eubanks**
   Guitarist who led The Tonight Show Band for Jay Leno.
7. **Max Weinberg**
   E Street Band drummer who led the Max Weinberg 7 for Conan O'Brien.
8. **Cleto Escobedo III**
   Saxophonist and Jimmy Kimmel's childhood friend who led Cleto and the Cletones.
9. **Fred Armisen**
   SNL alum who led the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
10. **Reggie Watts**
   Beatbox and loop artist who led the band on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
11. **Louis Cato**
   Multi-instrumentalist who took over the Late Show band from Jon Batiste.
12. **Jimmy Vivino**
   Guitarist who led Conan O'Brien's Basic Cable Band.

Tags: music, usa, tv shows, late night