Anton Lada (September 25, 1890 – August 28, 1944) was a prominent American jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader. Born in Prague, in the Kingdom of Bohemia, he emigrated with his family to the United States as a child, settling in Chicago. Lada became a significant figure in early jazz, particularly known for his work with the Louisiana Five, a band he both played for and managed. The group's 1918 recordings were among the first commercial jazz releases, marking a pivotal moment in the genre's history.

Lada also co-composed several tunes with Spencer Williams, including the successful "Arkansas Blues". After the initial success of the Louisiana Five, he went on to form Lada's Louisiana Orchestra, which recorded from 1922 and sometimes performed under different names. His bands were known for their innovative use of instruments like the oboe and xylophone.

In addition to his contributions to jazz, Lada worked on film scores after relocating to Hollywood in 1941. His career was unfortunately cut short by his death in Santa Monica, California, in 1944. Despite his early passing, Anton Lada left a lasting impact on the jazz world through his pioneering recordings and compositions.