Shields was born into an Irish-American[1] family in Uptown New Orleans, on the same block where jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden lived.

The following year that band made the first jazz phonograph records, propelling Shields' playing to national prominence.

Larry Shields inspired Dink Johnson to begin playing the clarinet, in a 1950 interview with Floyd Levin he stated: "I was actually a drummer, you know.

"[1] He co-wrote the ODJB classics "Clarinet Marmalade" with Henry Ragas and "At the Jazz Band Ball", "Ostrich Walk", and "Fidgety Feet" with Nick LaRocca.

In 2006, his 1917 recording of "Darktown Strutters' Ball" with the Original Dixieland Jass Band was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.