Benny Krueger

Benny Krueger (June 17, 1899 – April 29, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist.

After a short stint with Ross Gorman's band, Krueger's joined the Acme Sextette in New York, which included Miff Mole on trombone, Ernie Holst on violin, and Edwin Taylor Williams on banjo. He had the distinction of being one of the first jazz saxophonists on record. In 1920, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, following a successful tour of England, cut a number of sides for the Victor Talking Machine Company. One of Victor's managers insisted, against the ODJB members' wishes, that a saxophonist be included on their early recordings. Krueger was chosen by Victor as the saxophonist, and he recorded with the ODJB in 1920 to 1921, according to Rust's Jazz Records 1897-1942.

Following the ODJB recording date, Krueger recorded numerous sides for Brunswick and Vocalion under his own name, as well as under several pseudonyms. His final recording session was for Columbia Records in May 1934, recording songs from the 1934 Carole Lombard-Bing Crosby film We're Not Dressing.

In the 1930s he worked in radio and served as musical director and orchestra conductor for Rudy Vallee and Bob Crosby. He was also a songwriter; "Sunday" was covered by Pat Boone, Lester Young and Louis Jordan). Among his outstanding recordings with his orchestra was "I Don't Know Why" (1931).

Birth and Death Data: Born June 17, 1899 (Newark), Died April 29, 1967 (Orange)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, leader, saxophone, composer, songwriter, tenor saxophone, clarinet

Notes: Sometimes listed as Bennie Kreuger.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 396 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W142910 10-in. 11/4/1926 Sunday Seger Ellis Male vocal solo, with piano songwriter  
Columbia 143264 10-in. 1/5/1927 Sunday The Harmonizers Male vocal quartet, with piano songwriter  
Columbia W152729 10-in. 5/4/1934 Good night, lovely little lady Benny Krueger’s Orchestra ; George Beuler Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152730 10-in. 5/4/1934 Once in a blue moon Benny Krueger’s Orchestra ; George Beuler Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152731 10-in. 5/4/1934 A thousand good nights Benny Krueger’s Orchestra ; George Beuler Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152732 10-in. 5/4/1934 Riptide Benny Krueger’s Orchestra ; George Beuler Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
OKeh S-7527 10-in. Aug. 1920 Silver water Bennie Kreuger ; Rega Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
OKeh S-7528 10-in. Aug. 1920 I'm a jazz vampire Benny Krueger ; Rega Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with saxophone instrumentalist, saxophone  
OKeh S-7908 10-in. May 1921 Saxopation Frank Stretz Society Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-70030 10-in. July 1921 Sweetheart Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-70031 10-in. July 1921 Stolen kisses Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh 73974 10-in. Jan. 1926 Hot coffee Colonial Inn Orchestra ; Jack Glassner Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick B7-B10 10-in. 7/18/1924 There’ll be some changes made Marion Harris Female vocal solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B11-B13 10-in. 7/18/1924 I can’t get the one I want Marion Harris Female vocal solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick 4856 10-in. approximately Dec. 1920 Crazy blues Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 4859 10-in. approximately Dec. 1920 Royal garden blues Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick B50-B52 10-in. 8/4/1924 (I’m scared to death to hold my breath) Under the water Margaret Young Female vocal solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick 5109 10-in. approximately Mar. 1921 Spread yo' stuff Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick B53-B54 10-in. 8/4/1924 Africa Margaret Young Female vocal solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick 6108 10-in. approximately July 1921 All by myself Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 6149 10-in. approximately July 1921 Sweet man o' mine Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 6153 10-in. approximately July 1921 Saturday Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 7302 10-in. approximately Feb. 1922 Jimmy, I love but you Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 7481 10-in. approximately Feb. 1922 The school house blues Benny Krueger’s Orchestra ; Brox Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 7551 10-in. approximately Feb. 1922 Poor little me Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
(Results 26-50 of 396 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Krueger, Benny," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112549.

Krueger, Benny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112549.

"Krueger, Benny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112549

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