LAMAMIMET

Ryan Porter was born on July 31, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. He began studying music in the Multi‑School Jazz Band in Watts under Reggie Andrews, where he met future collaborators such as Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, and Thundercat. He later attended the Manhattan School of Music, studying with renowned trombonists Steve Turre and David Taylor.\n\nPorter became a central figure in the Los Angeles jazz scene as a founding member of the West Coast Get Down collective. He contributed to landmark recordings, including Kamasi Washington's 2015 album The Epic and Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, and toured with artists like Stevie Wonder, Rihanna, and Snoop Dogg. As a solo artist, he released four albums—Spangle‑Lang Lane (2017), The Optimist (2018), Force for Good (2019) and Resilience (2022)—showcasing his inventive arrangements and commitment to community‑focused music.\n\nIn 2024 Porter produced a documentary titled Resilience, highlighting free music‑education programs in Los Angeles and their role in nurturing the city's modern jazz renaissance. He remained an advocate for youth empowerment through music, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and accessible performance spaces.\n\nPorter was injured in a severe car crash on April 28, 2026, and died on May 16, 2026, at the age of 46. He was survived by his family and remembered by peers for his generosity, artistic vision, and lasting influence on contemporary jazz.