He never used his titles and achievements to be accepted to any of the multiple groups he performed with, and seldom mentioned them at all. His passion, his enormous talent and skills, along with his vibrant personality sufficed to bring him frequent invitations to perform.
Ryan passed away prematurely in a car accident on March 22nd of 2018, while driving home from a show he had attended with friends. He left us an example of how to be open minded, driven and fearless.
By the time of his passing he was gigging virtually every night (sometimes even twice or three times in the same day, with different groups at different venues in Southern California). He also left his mark in the lives of his students.
We, his friends and family want to thank you for reading about him, and in case you are one of the recipients of a trumpet we gifted in his name, we hope that you honor him by being as dedicated and passionate about music as you can be.
May Ryan be an inspiration to you as he was to us, and through your playing he will live on.
