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.

[2] Laird's first band soon split, but he joined another which featured pianist Mike Nock and toured New Zealand extensively.

[2] While in England, Laird toured with the vocal ensemble Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, which led to a stint with Zoot Sims and saxophonist Al Cohn, followed by session work.

Laird then accepted the offer to become house bassist at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, playing with many visiting musicians including Wes Montgomery and Sonny Stitt.

[citation needed] In 1966, Laird won a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts after sending a tape of himself playing with Stan Getz.

[3] Laird was a founding member and electric bassist of the jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra, the original line-up of which were active from June 1971 to December 1973.

[2] In March 2009, Laird discovered a collection of photographs that he had taken of musical artists, including Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Elvin Jones, Keith Jarrett and many others.

[7][8] With Horacee Arnold With Richie Cole With Eddie Daniels With Stan Getz With Benny Golson With Eddie Jefferson With Vic Juris With Rahsaan Roland Kirk With Eric Kloss With Prince Lasha With Yusef Lateef With The Mahavishnu Orchestra With Czesław Niemen With Gerry Niewood With Anita O'Day With Buddy Rich With Sonny Rollins With Annie Ross With Clive Stevens & Friends With Stan Tracey With Treasure