Jubilant Sykes, acclaimed baritone, fatally stabbed by son at home in Santa Monica, police say

Grammy-nominated gospel singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death in his Santa Monica home late Sunday, and his son was taken into custody at the scene, police said.

The 71-year-old man, a famous singer and actor, was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived at his home, Santa Monica Police Lt. Lewis Gilmore said. There they also found his son, 31-year-old Mick Sykes, still inside the Delaware Avenue home. He was booked on suspicion of murder.

During his career, Jubilant Sykes has performed in venues around the world and in a variety of genres – opera, gospel, spirituals, show tunes, folk and pop – working with artists such as Renée Fleming, Terence Blanchard, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and Brian Wilson. His resume included the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. In 2010, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his recording of Leonard Bernstein's “Mess.”

On Sunday, Sykes' wife Cecelia initially reported the incident as an assault. She told investigators that her son had a history of mental illness, although detectives have not determined whether that played a role in the killing.

“The suspect was cooperative and was taken into custody without incident,” Gilmore said. “The entire tragedy occurred within the confines of the family home.”

Police had not received any recent calls involving the family prior to the incident, and the motive was still under investigation, police said.

“She was not actually aware of the altercation or argument that led to the stabbing,” Gilmore said, adding that Cecelia Sykes did not report feeling threatened during the incident. “I know the suspect had ready access to the house. It is unclear whether he lived there full-time or part-time, but it is a family home and he was allowed to be there.”

Police believe only the couple and their son were inside at the time.

Jubilant Sykes was born in Los Angeles in 1954, and received his unique name from his mother.

“She just called me that because she wanted me to be happy,” Sykes told The Times in 1996.. “And when it comes to music, it is.”

He grew up in the city and sang soprano as a child until his voice changed. Sykes later said that he lost interest in music for a while until a music teacher showed him how to use his new teenage voice.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t sing,” he said. told The Times in 1999remembering the music filling the house and piano lessons as a child.

After graduating from high school, Sykes majored in music at Cal State Fullerton.

“I just jumped into it without knowing anything,” he said years later.

His transition to classical singing was cemented after he won first place in the regional auditions for the Metropolitan Opera in Los Angeles, which led to his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1990.

He also appeared on film soundtracks and had occasional acting roles, including in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film Liberty and the Downtown New York musical 1776. In Southern California, he performed at the opening night of the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center in 2008 and performed with Carlos Santana in 2006 at the Hollywood Bowl.

In addition to his wife and son, Jubilant Sykes is survived by two more sons.

The investigation into Sunday's stabbing continues, Gilmore said.

Details about Micah Sykes' release on bail and his first court appearance were not immediately available.