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Jubilant Sykes, celebrated for his powerful baritone voice and a nominee for the best classical album at the 2010 Grammy Awards, has tragically passed away.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In a shocking incident, Grammy-nominated opera vocalist Jubilant Sykes was fatally stabbed at his Santa Monica residence on Monday night. Authorities have arrested his 31-year-old son on suspicion of murder, as reported by local police.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers were dispatched following a 911 call made at approximately 9:20 p.m. The call reported an ongoing assault at the home. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence where they discovered the 71-year-old Sykes suffering from severe injuries indicative of a stabbing.
Emergency responders from the Santa Monica Fire Department declared Sykes deceased at the scene.
Police detained his son, Micah Sykes, who was present in the home, without any complications. Investigators have retrieved a weapon from the scene, and the case is set to be reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for potential charges.
The incident appears to be isolated and occurred within a private residence, with no ongoing threat to the community, police said.
Sykes, a Los Angeles native known for his baritone voice, performed at major venues worldwide including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. He received a Grammy nomination for best classical album at the 2010 Grammy Awards for his performance as the Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” recorded with the Morgan State University Choir and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
He also appeared in the 1990 Metropolitan Opera production of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” in the role of Jake.
In a 2002 NPR interview, Sykes described his approach to music: “My singing is like breathing — it’s an extension of me. I don’t think of it as extraordinary. It’s my passion.”
In local media reports, neighbors described Sykes as a beloved member of the Santa Monica community who grew up in the area and sang at Calvary Baptist Church.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.