George Robert Crosby (August 23, 1913 – March 9, 1993)[1] was an American jazz singer and bandleader, best known for his group the Bob-Cats, which formed around 1935.

He was also a regular cast member of The Jack Benny Program, on both radio and television, taking over the role of bandleader after Phil Harris' departure.

[2] Crosby began singing in the early 1930s with the Delta Rhythm Boys, which included vocalist Ray Hendricks and guitarist Bill Pollard, and with Anson Weeks (1931–34) and the Dorsey Brothers (1934–35).

[1] That year, he also recorded with the Clark Randall Orchestra led by Gil Rodin and featuring singer Frank Tennille (a.k.a.

"[3] Crosby's own band also formed a "band-within-the-band" called the Bob-Cats, a Dixieland octet including soloists from the larger orchestra, many of whom were from New Orleans.

[1] During that time there was a revival of interest in big band jazz, and Crosby worked for Disney studios and toured the midwest.

During his stint on Club Fifteen, he was teamed with the ever-popular Andrews Sisters three nights per week, singing with them and engaging in comedy skits.

He first met the trio in 1938 when his orchestra backed their Decca recording of "Begin the Beguine," their popular vocalization of Artie Shaw's big band hit.

One can't help when hearing these old Club Fifteen broadcasts how eerily similar Bob and the Andrews Sisters sound to the trio's very frequent and hugely successful pairings with brother Bing Crosby on the Decca label.

[1] He was able to swap jokes competently with Benny, including humorous references to his brother Bing's wealth and his string of losing racehorses.

An exchange during one of the popular Christmas programs ran thus: Crosby muses to Jack that he's bought gifts for everyone but band member Frank Remley.