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Ryan Porter

1979 – 2026

American jazz trombonist

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About Ryan Porter

Lived 1979 – 2026 (aged 46–47). Ryan Porter was an American music arranger.

Career

Between 2008 and 2009, Porter and his West Coast Get Down bandmates held a series of recording sessions in Kamasi Washington's parents' garage, which they called "the Shack." These sessions were cramped, overheated, and frequently interrupted by planes at the nearby Los Angeles International Airport landing strip. The recordings were released a decade later on Porter's album The Optimist (2018), whose title was inspired by Porter's optimism for the newly elected president Barack Obama at the time of recording. The album was released on World Galaxy and Alpha Pup Records. Porter led a portion of these sessions, yielding the tracks on his debut album Spangle-Lang Lane (2017), a collection of reimagined children's songs reimagined in a soulful jazz and hip hop style. With the album, he released a series of videos depicting puppet versions of the West Coast Get Down and other jazz musicians.

In June 2019, Porter released his third album Force for Good, which was recorded over the course of five years and also features Kamasi Washington.

Death Porter was injured in a traffic collision in late April 2026. He died from complications of the injuries he sustained on May 16, at the age of 46.

Discography Adapted from AllMusic.

Studio albums Spangle-Lang Lane (2017) The Optimist (2018) Force for Good (2019) Resilience (2022)

Live albums Ryan Porter (2020)

With Kamasi Washington The Epic (2015) Harmony of Difference (2017) Heaven and Earth (2018) Becoming (2020) Fearless Movement (2024)

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Important facts

Born
1979, Los Angeles
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality

People in Ryan Porter's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ryan Porter's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ryan Porter?

American jazz trombonist

When was Ryan Porter born?

Ryan Porter was born in 1979 in Los Angeles.

When did Ryan Porter die?

Ryan Porter died on 16 May 2026.

What was Ryan Porter's occupation?

Ryan Porter was a music arranger.

What nationality was Ryan Porter?

Ryan Porter was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ryan Porter

· Wikidata: Q50246320

· DBpedia: Ryan Porter

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ryan Porter. https://biography.guide/ryan-porter/

MLA: "Ryan Porter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ryan-porter/.

Chicago: "Ryan Porter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ryan-porter/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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