Beloved Opera Singer Found Dead as Tragedy Deepens
Jubilant Sykes was a beloved U.S. opera singer who incorporated gospel and jazz influences into his music.
The Tucson Desert Song Festival described Sykes, 71, as a "Grammy-nominated baritone," writing in a bio, "Perhaps no vocalist of our time possesses a more exquisitely versatile instrument" than the singer. However, on December 8, his life ended tragically - allegedly at the hands of his son.
Santa Monica Police Say They Took Jubilant Sykes' Son, Micah Sykes, Into Custody
On December 8, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Santa Monica Police Department "officers responded to a residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue after a 9-1-1 caller reported an assault in progress. Officers quickly arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, who directed them inside the home," a police news release says.
"Inside the residence, officers located an adult male, 71-year-old Jubilant Sykes, with critical injuries consistent with a stabbing. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene," the release adds. "The suspect, the victim’s son, Micah Sykes, 31, was found inside the residence and taken into custody without incident."
(Photo by Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images)
The motive is not clear, but ABC 7 reported that Micah Sykes allegedly "has a history of mental health struggles and is cooperating with police."
"We did learn that the son has a history of mental illness. However, at this point, it's unclear what circumstances led up, if there was any altercation or argument we're investigating that angle right now," said Santa Monica Police Lt. Lewis Gilmour to ABC 7.
"Detectives from SMPD’s Criminal Investigations Division responded, secured the scene, and subsequently obtained a search warrant. Forensic specialists are processing physical evidence, including the weapon recovered at the scene," the police release adds. "The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The suspect will be booked for homicide, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration."
Noted police: "This appears to be an isolated incident occurring within a private residence, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. SMPD has maintained a presence in the area throughout the investigation."
According to His Bio, Jubilant Sykes' Voice Was Described as 'Extraordinary'
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called Sykes' voice "extraordinary. He isn’t merely an outstanding singer, his voice is art at its highest expression," the Tucson bio says.
"Mr. Sykes was honored by the recording industry with a Grammy nomination for 'Best Classical Recording.' That same recording, Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, was named 'Editor’s Choice' by Gramophone Magazine," the bio added. "Mr. Sykes also has performed with a number of the world’s finest orchestras and opera companies. He has worked with such conductors as Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Leonard Slatkin, Keith Lockhart, Christoph Eschenbach, David Robertson, Andrew Litton, Marin Alsop, David Zinman, John Nelson, John Williams, and the late Marvin Hamlisch," it adds.
"He has been the featured soloist with many of the world’s finest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra as well as the orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and, the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London," the bio says.