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Officers responded to a 911 call Monday night reporting an
assault in progress at the residence in the coastal city west of
Los Angeles, according to a statement from the Santa Monica
Police Department.
They found Sykes, 71, inside with critical stab wounds.
Paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene, police
said.
The victim's son, 31-year-old Micah Sykes, was at the home and
taken into custody without incident, police said. It wasn't
immediately known if he has an attorney.
Police recovered a weapon and the investigation was ongoing.
Jubilant Sykes was nominated for best classical album at the
2010 Grammy Awards for “Bernstein: Mass,” in which he performed
the Celebrant role.
He appeared in the 1990 Metropolitan Opera production of “The
Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess” in the role of Jake.
A Los Angeles native, Sykes was a baritone who was praised as
charismatic in a 2008 New York Times review of “Mass.”
He told NPR in 2002 that he felt comfortable singing every genre
of music, from pop to opera.
“My singing is like breathing — it’s an extension of me. I don’t
think of it is extraordinary. It’s my passion,” he told NPR in a
2002 interview.
Sykes was artistic advisor for Orchestra Santa Monica, and he
sang in and narrated some of the group's performances, the
organization said in a statement.
“Jubilant was a true inspiration—his artistry, generosity, and
kindness touched countless lives," said Roger Kalia, Orchestra
Santa Monica's music director.
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