B.J. Crosby

B.J. Crosby, also known as Lady B.J. (born Joanne Crayton; November 23, 1952 – March 27, 2015), was an American jazz vocalist, singer, and actress. In 1995, Crosby received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical nomination for her performance in the musical, Smokey Joe's Cafe. Her role in Smokey Joe's Cafe included solo parts in the songs "Hound Dog" and "Fools Fall in Love".

Following her success, she returned to Broadway for two more roles. She starred as Matron "Mama" Morton in the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago and played Ma Reed in the 2002 Broadway debut of One Mo' Time. Her national tours included Dreamgirls, in which she was cast as Effie. Outside of the theater, she had guest roles on Ally McBeal, The Cosby Show, Family Matters, Gimme a Break!, Law & Order, and Mad About You. Her 1984 cable television special, "Lady BJ Sings Lady Day: A Tribute to Billie Holiday", won a CableACE Award.

Crosby released her first solo album, Best of Your Heart, in 2007. Her album was produced by Judge Elloie and included original content and cover versions of songs recorded by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joe Sample, and Stevie Wonder. In January 2007, she performed as a featured vocalist at a new jazz cafe in Istanbul, Turkey.

Health and death Crosby moved back to her native New Orleans in 2007. Crosby woke up on June 15, 2008, feeling dizzy and sick, but she still performed at a Father's Day concert at Sydney's club later that night. Two days later, June 17, doctors diagnosed her as having suffered a stroke, which prevented her from singing and decreased mobility on the right side of her body. She never fully regained the use of her singing voice. Crosby was one of only 2 members of the original cast of Smokey Joe's Cafe who could not attend a reunion held at 54 Below in February 2014. Her health declined rapidly during late 2014 and early 2015.

After being hospitalized for three days at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Crosby died on March 27, 2015, aged 62, from complications of diabetes and a stroke. She was survived by her son, Joseph Elloie, and six grandchildren.