Bennie Krueger

American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter (born June 17, 1899, Newark, New Jersey, USA – died April 29, 1967, Orange, New Jersey, USA).

At the start of his career, Krueger briefly played with Ross Gorman. In early 1919, he and trombonist Miff Mole were part of the Acme Sextette led by banjo player Edwin Taylor Williams that played at Healy's Golden Glades in New York City. Between November 1920 and January 1921, Krueger cut a number of records with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band because a Victor manager insisted that adding a saxophonist would make the band even more popular. This gives him the distinction of being one of the first jazz saxophonists on record.

By late 1920, Krueger also led his own band, Bennie Krueger's Orchestra. This band recorded prolifically for more than a decade, most often for Brunswick and Vocalion (2), but also for Gennett, Pathé, and smaller, more short-lived labels such as Olympic (11) and Connorized. Krueger's band made its last recordings in May 1934, for Columbia.

Later in the 1930s Krueger worked in radio and served as musical director and orchestra conductor for Rudy Vallee and Bob Crosby.

As a songwriter, Krueger is responsible for the music and lyrics of "Wild Papa" (1923, with Lou Davis) and the music of "Hot Coffee" (1926, with lyrics by Bartley Costello). He also co-wrote the lyrics for Chester Conn's huge hit "Sunday" (1926, with Jule Styne and Ned Miller (2)).