Richard Quentin Laird (February 5, 1941 – July 4, 2021) was an Irish musician, best known as the bassist and a founding member of the jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra, with which he performed from 1971 to 1973.

Early life

Laird was born in Dublin on 5 February 1941 to a musical family. His mother played the piano in a variety of styles and his father played the ukulele; Laird started playing both instruments when he was three. He gained confidence to take up the instrument after seeing The Tony Williams Lifetime in concert. Guitar Player described Laird's playing: "Laird's solid, economical lines in conjunction with Billy Cobham's meticulous, powerful drumming provided a strong anchor for the odd-tempo and often volatile solos [from the rest of the band]".

Later career

Laird retired as a performing musician in 1982.

Death

In early 2021, Laird's daughter announced that he had entered hospice care. Laird died of lung cancer in New City, Rockland County, New York on 4 July 2021, aged 80.

Discography

As leader

  • Soft Focus (Timeless Muse, 1979)

As sideman

With Horacee Arnold

  • Tales of the Exonerated Flea (Columbia, 1974)

With Richie Cole

  • New York Afternoon (Muse, 1977)
  • Alto Madness with Eddie Jefferson (Muse, 1978)
  • Keeper of the Flame (Muse, 1979)

With Eddie Daniels

  • Brief Encounter (Muse, 1977)

With Stan Getz

  • Mort d'un Pourri (Melba, 1977) - Soundtrack

With Benny Golson

  • Three Little Words (Jazz House, 1997)

With Eddie Jefferson

  • Still on the Planet (Muse, 1976)
  • The Live-Liest (Muse, 1979)

With Vic Juris

  • Roadsong (Muse, 1978)

With Rahsaan Roland Kirk

  • Gifts & Messages (Mercury, 1964)
  • Live in London (Harkit, 2004)

With Eric Kloss

  • Battle of the Saxes with Richie Cole (Muse, 1976)

With Prince Lasha

  • Insight (CBS, 1966)

With Yusef Lateef

  • Live at Ronnie Scott's 15 Jan 1966 (Gearbox Records, 2017)

With The Mahavishnu Orchestra

  • The Inner Mounting Flame (Columbia, 1971)
  • Birds of Fire (Columbia, 1973)
  • Between Nothingness & Eternity (Columbia, 1973)
  • The Best of Mahavishnu Orchestra (Columbia, 1980)
  • The Lost Trident Sessions (Columbia, 1999)
  • Unreleased Tracks from Between Nothingness & Eternity (Columbia, 2011)
  • The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (Columbia, 2011)

With Czesław Niemen

  • Mourner's Rhapsody (Import Records, 1976)

With Gerry Niewood

  • Gerry Niewood and Timepiece (A&M/Horizon, 1977)

With Anita O'Day

  • Ao vivo no 150 Night Club (Estúdio Eldorado, 1984)

With Buddy Rich

  • Keep the Customer Satisfied (Pacific Jazz, 1970)

With Sonny Rollins

  • Live in London (Harkit, 2004)
  • Live in London, Vol. 2 (Harkit, 2005)
  • Live in London, Vol. 3 (Harkit, 2006)

With Annie Ross

  • You and Me Baby (Decca, 1971)

With Clive Stevens & Friends

  • Atmospheres (Capitol, 1974)

With Stan Tracey

  • Laughin' & Scratchin (Jazz House, 1966)

With Treasure

  • Treasure (Epic, 1977)

Instructional books

  • Laird, Rick. (1978) Jazz Riffs for Bass