Wayne Senior


Wayne Senior was the producer of New Zealand’s biggest-selling single ever, ‘I Have Loved Me a Man’ by Allison Durbin. Most of the work was done in Auckland’s Mascot Studio, with Senior at the baton, his fingers still ink-stained from the arrangement he wrote. Afterwards, fairy dust was added at Wellington’s HMV studio; on the disc’s label Senior is described as just the arranger.

Senior, who died on 9 January 2025, was one of the unsung heroes of New Zealand popular music. He was adept at composing, arranging, producing, and conducting, including a long stint in TVNZ’s light-entertainment department. He also played trumpet and was a vocal coach and choral conductor.

Wayne Senior, c 2015
Truly, Madly, Deeply Blue, Composed and arranged by Wayne Senior, 1992
Phil Warren with bandleaders and arrangers Wayne Senior (left) and Bernie Allen (centre), 1976
Wayne Senior, 2022
Photo credit: Colin Sandford
Mike Durney - Why Can't I Cry (Pye, 1969). Arranged and produced by Wayne Senior
Wayne Senior conducts the horn section at Mascot Studios during the recording of Mike Durney's 'Why Can't I Cry'.
Photo credit: Bruce King
Howard Morrison Special, Hamilton, 1982 (Wayne Senior, musical director)
Wayne Senior at Mascot Studios during the recording of Mike Durney's 'Why Can't I Cry', 1969. Billy Kristian centre.
Photo credit: Bruce King
Blues Medley – Malcolm McNeill with the Christchurch Symphony, arranged and conducted by Wayne Senior
Wayne Senior conducts the strings Mike Durney's 'Why Can't I Cry', Mascot Studio, 1969
Photo credit: Bruce King
Wayne Senior introduces an item at the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club, 2022
Photo credit: Colin Sandford
Two jingles by Wayne Senior, sung by Tommy Adderley
12 Bar Rhythm ’n Shoes (Wayne Senior, musical director), 1980
The Challenge - La-Dee-Doo-Down-Down (Impact, 1969). Producer: Wayne Senior; engineer: Wahanui Wynyard
The Savoy Five, 1960. Left to right: Al Fletcher, Ken Wyatt, Tony Hopkins, Wayne Senior, Des.
Wayne Senior at the podium, Auckland Jazz and Blues Club, 2022
Photo credit: Colin Sandford
Allison Durbin - I Have Loved Me A Man (HMV NZ, 1968). Arranged by Wayne Senior; produced by Howard Gable
Allison Durbin – I Have Loved Me a Man (Australian TV, 1968)
Pukemanu (NZBC TV series, 1971 – music by Wayne Senior)
Wayne Senior conducts the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club big band, 2022
Photo credit: Colin Sandford
Lynne Pike - Given Time (Phreadd, 1970, musical director Wayne Senior)
Wayne Senior at Mascot Studios, 1969
Photo credit: Bruce King
Wayne Senior with Billy Kristian, Mascot Studio, 1969
Photo credit: Bruce King
Wayne Senior
Photo credit: Publicity photo
Wayne Senior (centre) and his band in the mid-1960s
Wayne Senior at Mascot Studios for the recording of Mike Durney's 'Why Can't I Cry', 1969
Photo credit: Bruce King
Bobby Shew plays a Wayne Senior arranagement with the BBC Big Band
Wayne Senior with the Auckland Jazz Orchestra at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club, 2022
Photo credit: Colin Sandford
Cow Cocky Hits Queen Street – written and arranged by Wayne Senior, 1963
1981 Royal Variety Performance (Wayne Senior, musical director)
Watch: Why Can't I Cry – Mike Durney, arranged, conducted and produced by Wayne Senior, 1969
Larry Morris - The Hunt (Impact, 1969). Producer and arranger: Wayne Senior; engineer: Wahanui Wynyard
Wayne Senior counts in the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club big band, 2022
Labels:

HMV


Impact


Pye


Zodiac


Philips


Polydor

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