Jubilant Sykes obit

Jubilant Sykes, Grammy-Nominated Singer, Dies From Stabbing at 71, With His Son in Custody

He performed in such venues as the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. 

He was not on the list.

Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated opera singer, was allegedly stabbed to death by his son in his Santa Monica home on Monday. He was 71.

Police responded to a 911 call at about 9:20 p.m. on Monday from someone inside the home who reported an “assault in progress,” the Santa Monica Police Department shared in a statement.

“Officers quickly arrived and contacted the reporting party, who directed them into the home. Inside the residence, officers located an adult male, 71-year-old Jubilant Sykes, with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing,” the statement said.

“The suspect, the victim’s son, Micah Sykes, 31, was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.”

Sykes was pronounced dead at the scene by the Santa Monica Fire Department. His son was to be booked for homicide, and the case was to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Sykes grew up in Los Angeles, began his career as a soprano and performed in venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater and the Hollywood Bowl.

Along the way, he collaborated with Julie Andrews, Terence Blanchard, John Beasley, Renée Fleming, Josh Groban, Christopher Parkening, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Warren and Brian Wilson.

Sykes earned his Grammy nomination in 2010 through his participation in the Leonard Bernstein classical album Mass. He also was an actor, with credits including Peter Cousens’ Freedom (2014) and Matt Green’s The Descent (2023).

Actor

The Descent Part II

Markus

Post-production

 

The Descent (2023)

The Descent

2.5

Markus

2023

 

Leonard Bernstein: Mass, oratorio scénique (2018)

Leonard Bernstein: Mass, oratorio scénique

TV Movie

le Célébrant

2018

 

Freedom (2014)

Freedom

6.4

Ozias

2014

 

Soundtrack

Freedom (2014)

Freedom

6.4

performer: "A City Called Heaven", "Motherless Child", "Yes We All Agree"

2014

 

Pastime (1990)

Pastime

6.7

performer: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

1990