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Theater Owners Booking Association

2 Clips 1 min read  

This association formed the circuit on which black performers were able to travel and perform in the 1920 United States.

There is a T.O.B.A. break step which is very commonly danced.

And many of the most visible swing band leaders and musicians worked on this tour, including: Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie.

More information can be found on Wikipedia at Theatre Owners Booking Association.

There’s also a history of T.O.B.A from Musical Geography as well as an overview of some of the black women who were on the circuit.

Clips

T.O.B.A. Break - YouTube Video

Alphabetical Jazz Steps - T.O.B.A Break - YouTube Video