This caricature shows Larry Adler (1914-2001) in Tune Inn, a variety programme with Tommy Trinder (1909-1989), at the Oxford New Theatre in April 1937. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.

Larry Adler was the American virtuoso harmonica player and composer who brought the harmonica to the status of a classical instrument. He grew up in Baltimore and began playing in a harmonica band aged twelve. When he was thirteen he won a contest playing Beethoven's Minuet in C on the harmonica. He began his solo career playing in road shows and vaudeville, and had his first recording job in 1930. Several composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Malcolm Arnold wrote orchestral pieces around Larry Adler's harmonica playing. He composed the score for the film Genevieve in 1953, receiving an Oscar in 1954 for the best score. He went on playing and recording into his eighties, and in 1994 recorded harmonica solos for the album The Glory of Gershwin.