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

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).