Jazz Trombonist Ryan Porter Dies at 46: A Legacy of West Coast Sound

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Austin shared that Porter sustained "life-altering injuries" in the April 28th accident, and his condition subsequently worsened.

"It is with profound sorrow to announce that Ryan Keith Porter has passed. On Tuesday evening, April 28th, Ryan was involved in a severe car accident that resulted in life-altering injuries," Austin wrote. "Despite the best medical care, his condition deteriorated. On May 16th Ryan took his last breath, peacefully surrounded by his loved ones."

The drummer-producer continued, "Ryan was like a brother to me. We have been in each other’s lives since we were kids. Ryan’s love for music and his overall compassion for humanity was infectious and truly inspiring. He enriched my life in a way that I will carry with me forever. I can imagine that holds true for many of his friends, loved ones, and family. My heart is gutted, but I am thankful that his soul can now rest in peace in the heavens above."

Ryan Porter gained recognition in the West Coast jazz scene during the 2010s, alongside Austin and fellow band members Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Miles Mosley, Ronald Bruner Jr., Cameron Graves, and Brandon Coleman. The collective has been famously dubbed the “Wu-Tang Clan of jazz.”

Porter and the West Coast Get Down contributed significantly to Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which topped the Billboard 200 chart and earned the Grammy Award for best rap album in 2016.

Throughout his career, Porter released four solo albums, most recently 2022's Resilience. In 2024, he also released a documentary of the same name, highlighting the impact of free music programs in uplifting aspiring artists in Los Angeles.

Decorated saxophonist and fellow band member Kamasi Washington memorialized his close friend with a heartfelt post to Instagram.