Jubilant Sykes
Jubilant Sykes | |
|---|---|
 Sykes in 2023 | |
| Born | September 17, 1954 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 71) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Baritone |
| Children | 3 |
Jubilant Sykes (September 17, 1954 – December 8, 2025) was an American baritone opera singer. He was active on the opera stage, in concert, in musicals, gospel and pop. His recording as the Celebrant in Bernstein's Mass was nominated for a Grammy Award as best classical album.
Life and career
[edit]Jubilant Roberto Sykes was born in Los Angeles in 1954[1] to Robert and Eloise Sykes. Growing up there, he sang soprano as a child[1][2] and took piano lessons.[1] He lost interest in music when his voice changed, until a teacher nurtured his interest in classical music.[2] Sykes attended California State University, Fullerton, studying voice and graduating in 1979. During his time at Fullerton, he met a benefactor who believed in his passion for music and gave him a scholarship to study in Europe where he developed his skills in Austria and Paris. In 1990, Sykes landed his first professional job as Jake in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with the Houston Grand Opera. This led to concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra. He achieved first place in the regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions followed by his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1990.[1]
Sykes performed with Christopher Parkening and other artists,[3] and appeared at such venues as the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall,[4][5] the Kennedy Center, the Barbican Centre in London, the Apollo Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.[4]
In the 1990s, he signed with IMG.[6] He appeared in the 2001 City Center Encores! performance of Bloomer Girl as Pompey.[7]
In 2009, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for best classical albums for his performance as Celebrant on the recording of Leonard Bernstein's Mass,[1][4] a nomination he shared with conductor Marin Alsop and album producer Steven Epstein.[8]
At the time of his death, he was an artistic advisor for Orchestra Santa Monica.[9]
Personal life and death
[edit]Sykes and his wife Cecelia had three sons. They lived in Santa Monica.[1]
He was found dead at his home on December 8, 2025, aged 71.[1] Police arrived and found him injured,[4] with "critical injuries consistent with stabbing". Paramedics pronounced him dead.[4] His son Micah was arrested and charged.[1][10][11]
Recordings
[edit]- Jubilant (Sony Music, 1998)[2][12][13]
- Wait for Me (Sony, 2001)[12]
- Jubilation (Angel Records, 2007)[12]
- Bernstein: Mass, with Peabody Children's Chorus, Morgan State University choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, cond.[8]
- Jubilant Sykes Sings Copland and Other Spirituals (Ariola Records, 2010)[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Quinton, Gavin J.; D’Zurilla, Christie (9 December 2025). "Jubilant Sykes, acclaimed baritone, fatally stabbed by son at home in Santa Monica, police say". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ a b c Norris, Michele (December 16, 2002). "A Jubilant Voice: Classically Trained Singer Jubilant Sykes, in the Spotlight". National Public Radio.
- ^ Epstein, Benjamin (13 December 1996). "Singer's Not Jubilant in Name Alone". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d e Cain, Siam (December 10, 2025). "Jubilant Sykes' son arrested after Grammy-nominated opera singer stabbed to death". The Guardian. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
- ^ Tommasini, Anthony (26 October 2008). "Music Review: The Bernstein Mass Project". New York Times.
- ^ "Parkening cont". Portsmouth Daily Times. pp. A8.
- ^ Suskin, Steven (2002-06-28). Broadway Yearbook 2000-2001: A Relevant and Irreverent Record. Oxford University Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-19-534815-6.
- ^ a b "Bernstein Mass". Naxos Records. 2009. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ "Son arrested after Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes is stabbed to death at California home". AP. 2025-12-09. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
- ^ Hylton, Chelsea (9 December 2025). "Son of Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes arrested in father's killing at Santa Monica home, police say". MSN. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ Kurzweil, Tony (9 December 2025). "Grammy-nominated singer stabbed to death in Santa Monica, son arrested". KTLA5. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Jubilant Sykes at AllMusic
- ^ Black Diaspora. Black Diaspora Communications. 1998. p. 64.
External links
[edit]- Jubilant Sykes discography at Discogs
- Jubilant Sykes at IMDb
- Duffie, Bruce: Jubilant Sykes (interview) April 23, 1998
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1954 births
- 2025 deaths
- 20th-century African-American male singers
- 20th-century American male opera singers
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- 21st-century American male opera singers
- African-American male opera singers
- American operatic baritones
- Classical musicians from California
- Singers from Los Angeles