John Klenner was a German-born American composer and pianist who achieved lasting recognition for his contributions to the Great American Songbook. Born in 1899, his most celebrated composition, "Just Friends," co-written with lyricist Sam Lewis in 1931, became a jazz standard covered by over 480 artists including Dexter Gordon and Mildred Bailey. His other notable work, "Heartaches," co-written with Al Hoffman in 1931, also achieved widespread popularity with more than 130 recorded versions. Klenner's melodic gift produced enduring songs that remain central to the jazz repertoire. He died in 1955.
