Lawrence J. "Larry" Shields (1893 - 1953) was an early jazz clarinetist.
Larry Shields, c. 1915
After leaving the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1921 he played with various bands in New York City (including briefly with Paul Whiteman) before moving to Los Angeles, California where he remained throughout the 1920s, leading his own band and appearing breifly in some Hollywood films.
In the 1930s Sheilds returned to Chicago, then joined the reformed Original Dixieland Jazz Band, then worked for a while at Nick's in New York, returned to play in New Orleans, then back to California. He died in Los Angeles on November 21, 1953.
His playing, especially on phonograph records, was an important influence on later jazz clarinetists, including Benny Goodman.
see also: Original Dixieland Jass Band