Grammy-nominated gospel singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to demise in his Santa Monica house late Sunday, and his son was taken into custody on the scene, police stated.
The 71-year-old, a outstanding singer in addition to an actor, was pronounced lifeless shortly after police arrived on the residence, in keeping with Santa Monica Police Lt. Lewis Gilmore. There, additionally they found his son, 31-year-old Micah Sykes, nonetheless contained in the Delaware Avenue house. He was booked on suspicion of murder.
Over his profession, Jubilant Sykes carried out in venues around the globe and throughout genres — opera, gospel, spirituals, present tunes, people and pop — working with figures together with Renée Fleming, Terence Blanchard, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and Brian Wilson. His resume included the Kennedy Heart, Carnegie Corridor, the Apollo Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. In 2010, he earned a Grammy nomination for his recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.”
On Sunday, Sykes’ spouse, Cecelia, initially reported the incident as an assault. She advised investigators her son had a historical past of psychological sickness, although detectives haven’t decided whether or not it performed a task within the killing.
“The suspect was cooperative and brought into police custody with out incident,” Gilmore stated. “The complete tragedy occurred inside the confines of the household house.”
Police had not acquired any latest home calls involving the household previous to the incident, and the motive stays underneath investigation, police stated.
“She wasn’t actually conscious of an altercation or an argument that led as much as the stabbing,” Gilmore stated, including that Cecelia Sykes didn’t report feeling endangered throughout the incident. “I do know the suspect had free entry to the home. It’s unclear if he was dwelling there on a full-time or part-time foundation, however it’s the household house and he was allowed to be there.”
Police consider solely the couple and their son had been inside on the time.
Jubilant Sykes was born in Los Angeles in 1954, and his distinctive first identify got here courtesy of his mom.
“She named me that just because she wished me to be jubilant,” Sykes advised The Occasions in 1996. “And with regards to music, I’m.”
He grew up within the metropolis and sang soprano as a boy till his voice modified. Sykes later stated he misplaced curiosity in music for a bit till a music instructor confirmed him use his new teen voice.
“I can’t bear in mind ever not singing,” he advised The Occasions in 1999, recalling music filling the home and piano classes as a toddler.
After graduating from highschool, Sykes majored in music at Cal State Fullerton.
“I simply threw myself into it, completely clueless,” he stated years later.
His shift towards classical singing was cemented after he received first place within the Metropolitan Opera’s Los Angeles regional auditions, resulting in a debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1990.
He additionally appeared on movie soundtracks and took occasional appearing roles, together with within the Cuba Gooding Jr. movie “Freedom,” and within the musical “1776” at New York Metropolis Heart. In Southern California, he carried out on the opening-night invoice for the Santa Monica School Performing Arts Heart in 2008 and a 2006 efficiency with Carlos Santana on the Hollywood Bowl.
Along with his spouse and son, Jubilant Sykes is survived by two extra sons.
An investigation of Sunday’s stabbing is underway, in keeping with Gilmore.
Particulars on Micah Sykes’ bail and his first courtroom look weren’t instantly accessible.
