told The Times in 2024. <\/a>\u201cFor me back then, it was hard to understand why they cared so much. But it was because they saw potential in all of us so early, so we could see it for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\nThat group cultivated a following at Leimert Park\u2019s beloved venue the World Stage. They would go on to craft dense, experimental and spiritually yearning compositions for Kendrick Lamar\u2019s 2015 LP \u201cTo Pimp a Butterfly,\u201d among countless other LPs in the L.A. jazz scene, including Washington\u2019s 2015 breakthrough \u201cThe Epic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Porter released four solo albums in his career \u2014 2018\u2019s \u201cThe Optimist,\u201d 2019\u2019s \u201cForce for Good,\u201d and 2022\u2019s \u201cResilience,\u201d along with his 2017 children\u2019s album \u201cSpangle-Lang Lane\u201d \u2014 each featuring arrangements from his lifelong bandmates. In 2024, he released a documentary film, \u201cResilience,\u201d focused on the impact of free music education programs in Los Angeles and how they helped build the city\u2019s modern jazz scene. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn the inner city, you can be a gang member or drug dealer, but most kids want to take their best steps,\u201d Porter said in 2024. \u201cFriends and music teachers inspired me through their work ethic, giving us a place to perform where we could take advantage of that expertise. Now it\u2019s our turn to take care of them for the next generation.\u201d <\/p>\n
Washington, Porter\u2019s frequent collaborator, remembered Porter in a poignant statement on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cI love you Ryan Porter, I miss you, and you will always have a space in my heart and soul. I will cherish the many years we had together, I thought we would have more, but I am thankful for what we had,\u201d he wrote, adding, \u201cYou have been my friend for most of my life. I\u2019ve looked up to you since I was 11 years old. We learned from each other, we supported each other, we created beautiful music together and shared it with people all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou would always tell me that you wanted more than anything else to be a FORCE FOR GOOD and you did it, you are the complete embodiment of that,\u201d Washington continued. \u201cYou did so much good Ryan, your life made this world better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Porter is survived by two daughters, both of whom are preparing for college, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his friends to contribute to funeral costs and support his children. \u201cBeyond the stage and beyond the music, Ryan\u2019s greatest pride was being a father and provider for his family,\u201d the fundraiser states.<\/p>\n