The world of opera has been rocked by the tragic loss of Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes, who was discovered stabbed to death in his Santa Monica residence on Monday night. Authorities were alerted to an ongoing assault after receiving a 911 call, leading to the grim discovery.
When police officers arrived shortly before 9:30 p.m., they found the 71-year-old Sykes suffering from severe injuries. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Lewis Gilmour, who spoke to MyNewsLA.com.
In a shocking twist, the singer’s 31-year-old son, Micah Sykes, was arrested at the scene and is expected to face murder charges. Investigators have confirmed that a weapon was recovered from the home.
Jubilant Sykes was cherished for his rich baritone voice, which graced many prestigious orchestras and venues. He gained significant recognition for his role as the Celebrant in the 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” an album that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album.
The neighborhood where Sykes grew up remembers him fondly. He was often seen singing at the Calvary Baptist Church, just a stone’s throw from his home. Pam Forbes Clayton, a longtime acquaintance, shared heartfelt memories with reporters, recalling how Sykes’ mother played an active role in the Santa Monica community. “Jubilant was a singer beyond words. He sang all around the country, opera. He was so beautiful,” Clayton reminisced. “He’d walk over and say, ‘Pam, I need space, can I sing in the sanctuary?’ And I said, ‘Sure.’ We’d leave him in there. He’d say, ‘Can I sing over here in the garden?’ We’d leave him there.”
“I grew up with him,” Pam Forbes Clayton told reporters. “His mother (was) so involved with this Santa Monica community. Jubilant was a singer beyond words. He sang all around the country, opera. He was so beautiful. And he would just walk from here, two blocks over down the hill and say, `Pam, I need space, can I sing in the (church) sanctuary?’ And I said, `Sure.’ We’d leave him in there. He’d say, `Can I sing over here in the garden?’ We’d leave him there.”
According to his website, heSykesperformed with symphonies all over the country and with conductors such as Teddy Abrams, Marvin Hamlisch, Krisjan Jarvi, Kurt Masur, and John Williams.
He also performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Deutch Oper Berlin, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Apollo Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl and with artists including Julie Andrews, Terence Blanchard, Renée Fleming, Josh Groban, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, and Brian Wilson.
Sykes appeared in the 2014 film Freedom as the African slave Ozias and the lead in the play Breath and Imagination on the life of Roland Hayes.
Sykes and his wife Cecelia had three sons.
