Wayne Laird

Wayne Laird (ONZM) is a composer, producer and Waikato University Research Associate. In 1997 he founded the independent record label Atoll Records, where he is the chief producer. Atoll specialises in classical, historical and contemporary music. Its catalogue of approximately one hundred CDs features leading New Zealand soloists and ensembles such as Michael Houston, New Zealand String Quartet, New Zealand Chamber Soloists, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The label has produced recordings of many leading New Zealand composers such as Gillian Whitehead, Jack Body, Gareth Farr, John Psathas, Anthony Ritchie, Ross Harris and Kenneth Young.

Wayne holds a BA, BMus and MPhil from Auckland University and teaches music production at Waikato University. He wrote for film and television during the 1980s, and between 1985 and 1987 he composed and performed Pacific 3,2,1,Zero and Gung Ho 1,2,3d with From Scratch. In addition to producing most of Atoll's recordings, Wayne is also frequently contracted to produce records for other major classical labels such as Naxos and Rattle. He has also restored and remastered many historical and archival recordings by New Zealand and international artists.

Wayne's skills as a producer and recording engineer have been exhibited on a plethora of recordings of New Zealand music, and his prolific work with Atoll has made that label the flag bearer for New Zealand composition. Atoll's releases have been nominated for best New Zealand classical album 14 times, including four wins. Wayne has undertaken many large scale recording and restoring ventures including Richard Farrell's 'Complete Recordings', Jack Body's 'Song of Death and Desire', and Michael F. Williams's 'The Juniper Passion'. In 2015 Wayne produced the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's album of works by Chinese composer Long Zhou, which was nominated at the Grammy awards for Best Orchestral Performance.