High profile Rickey Minor, musical director of "American Idol," will be leaving the show at the end of the season to take the place of departing "Tonight Show" bandleader Kevin Eubanks, TMZ reports.

NBC later confirmed the news, TMZ said.

In its follow-up story, Deadline.com ran this statement that it credited to the producers of "Idol": "Rickey Minor has been a valued member of our "American Idol" family for many years. He is an amazing talent, a dear friend, and we wish him all the best."

"Idol" ends on May 28th. Minor starts on the "Tonight Show" on June 7.