This artist was a pianist who played in New Orleans jazz combos as far back as the first decade of the 20th century. Eddie Shields' older brothers Larry Shields and Harry Shields were both clarinetists. After factoring in a younger sibling, Pat Shields on guitar, the family arrived at an instrumental combination unheard of even in avant-garde music. As for instrumentations that did actually perform, the pianist found a way to tarry in certain bands alongside Larry as well as Harry. With the Roaring Twenties fast approaching, Eddie Shields replaced Henry Ragas in the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the latter artist heading off to jazz heaven where he was hopefully reincarnated as a sitar player. Pianist Shields hit the road with Ernie Yellow Nunez, a pianist/songwriter whose nickname had something to do with skin tone, not lack of courage. This combo also included the fine cornet player Emile Christian and was one of the authentic New Orleans jazz units that went over particularly well in Chicago. As for a discography, the pianist's surname can be regarded as having deflected recording opportunities. An obscure single on the Pilot label with the timely Tick Tick Tock on one side and the dimming Lights of Macon on the other could be the work of this pianist; at any rate, somebody named Eddie Shields is responsible. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi