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Jubilant Sykes: Bio

Perhaps no vocalist of our time possesses a more exquisitely versatile instrument than the American baritone Jubilant Sykes. Mr. Sykes brings a new dimension to the traditional career of the classically trained vocalist by drawing on gospel and jazz influences to deliver performances in differing musical genre that often leaves audiences and critics searching for new superlatives. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was inspired to proclaim, "Jubilant Sykes' voice is extraordinary. He isn't merely an outstanding singer, his voice is art at its highest expression."

Mr. Sykes was honored recently by the recording industry with a Grammy nomination for "Best Classical Recording of 2010." Mr. Sykes also has won the attention and respect of the world's finest conductors, symphonies and opera companies. He has had the privilege of working with such notable conductors as Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Leonard Slatkin, Christoph Eschenbach, Andrew Litton, Marin Alsop, David Zinman, John Nelson, John Williams, Keith Lockhart and Marvin Hamlisch. He has been the featured soloist with many of the world's finest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and with the symphonies of Atlanta, St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, BC,
and Asturias, Spain.

His unique gifts have taken him from such diverse stages as the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and London's Barbican Centre to the Apollo Theater, Hollywood Bowl, New Orleans Jazz Festival and hundreds of other major venues around the world. His versatility has allowed him to collaborate with a number of leading artists from different musical styles such as the renowned operatic soprano Rene Fleming in the Mozart Requiem, touring and singing with Julie Andrews, a Boston Pops televised special and tour, appearing as featured soloist on the televised tribute to Brian Wilson from Radio City Music Hall, and with Josh Groban and subsequently Carlos Santana at the Hollywood Bowl.

Jubilant Sykes Sings Copland and Spiritualswith the London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Litton, conducting, will be out later this year on Arioso Classics. This follows the release of Jubilation for EMI which combines Mr. Sykes with the legendary American classical guitarist, Christopher Parkening. This pairing has drawn such critical acclaim as "...the kind of concert a writer holds a few choice adjectives in special reserve for... two astonishing musicians."

Mr. Sykes also has released two recordings for Sony BMG Masterworks. The first, Jubilant, brought the singer together with jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. His crossover recording, Wait for Me, features classic songs by a number of popular composer/entertainers.

Jubilant Sykes resides in Southern California with his wife, Cecelia. They have three sons: Madison, Morgan and Micah.

Jubilant Sykes

Sings Copland & Spirituals

Arioso Classics

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Track Listing

1 City Called Heaven  
2 Ride On, King Jesus  
3 Were You There?  
4 Weepin' Mary  
5 Go Down, Moses  
6 Leanin' On That Lamb  
7 My God Is So High  
8 Witness  
9 Set I: The Boatmen's Dance  
10 Set I: The Dodger  
11 Set I: Long Time Ago  
12 Set I: Simple Gifts  
13 Set I: I Bought Me A Cat  
14 Set II: The Little Horses  
15 Set II: Zion's Walls  
16 Set II: The Golden Willow Tree  
17 Set II: At The River  
18 Set II: Ching-A-Ring Chaw  

Jubilant Sykes: Audio

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