Bennie Krueger, born Benjamin Krueger on July 17, 1898 (or June 17, 1899, according to some sources) in Newark, New Jersey, was an influential American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter. He passed away on April 29, 1967, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Krueger is recognized as one of the first jazz saxophonists to be recorded, having made significant contributions to the genre during the early 20th century.

Krueger's musical journey began with the violin, which he started learning at the age of four, but he eventually switched to the saxophone, mastering it by the age of eighteen. His early career included a stint with Ross Gorman's band and a role in the Acme Sextette in New York, alongside notable musicians such as Miff Mole and Edwin Taylor Williams.

In 1920, Krueger was selected by the Victor Talking Machine Company to record with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB), despite the band's initial reluctance to include a saxophonist. This collaboration marked a pivotal moment in jazz history, as Krueger became one of the first jazz saxophonists to be recorded. He continued to record extensively, producing numerous sides for Brunswick and Vocalion under his own name and various pseudonyms.

Krueger's work extended beyond performing; he was also a prolific songwriter. His composition "Sunday" was covered by artists such as Pat Boone, Lester Young, and Louis Jordan. In the 1930s, Krueger transitioned to radio, serving as a musical director and orchestra conductor for prominent figures like Rudy Vallee and Bob Crosby.

Throughout his career, Krueger recorded an impressive array of dance music, with some pieces reflecting the hot jazz style of the era. His final recording session took place in May 1934 for Columbia Records, featuring songs from the film "We're Not Dressing."

Bennie Krueger's contributions to jazz and popular music remain significant, as he helped shape the early sound of jazz saxophone and left a lasting legacy through his recordings and compositions.