Universal Attractions Agency
{{Short description|American talent agency}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Universal Attractions, Inc.
| type = Private
| foundation = New York, New York (1945)
| location = Midtown Manhattan (United States)
| key_people = Jeff Allen, Co-Owner
Jeff Epstein, Co-Owner
| website = http://www.universalattractions.com
}}
Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) is an American talent agency. It was founded by Ben Bart (Benjamin Robert Bart, 1906–1968) {{Cite magazine|last=Gulla|first=Bob|date=2008|title=Icons of R & B and soul : an encyclopedia of the artists who revolutionized rhythm|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/230807722|magazine=Greenwood Press|location=Westport, Conn.|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-08807-0|oclc=230807722|access-date=2020-03-12}} in 1945. The New York City-based agency is currently under the management of Jeff Allen{{Cite web|url=http://www.celebrityaccess.com/news/profile.html?id=106|title=CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles|website=www.celebrityaccess.com|access-date=2016-04-10}} and Jeff Epstein.
The agency’s history includes launching the career of the soul singer James Brown and representing him for more than 40 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.universalattractions.com/about/|title=Universal Attractions Agency|website=www.universalattractions.com/|access-date=2021-06-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/article/james-brown-behind-the-scenes-of-a-legendary-career-at-uaa-147050|title=James Brown: Behind The Scenes Of A Legendary Career At UAA|website= www.pollstar.com/|date=18 December 2020 |access-date=2021-07-21}}
History
In 1945, agent Ben Bart decided to resign from his position at The Gale Agency. He opened the Universal Attractions Agency that same year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.doowopcafe.net/Ravens.html|title = Doowopcafe.net}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/james-brown/biography|title=James Brown Biography|magazine=Rolling Stone}}[https://celebrityaccess.com/ CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles][http://www.doowopcafe.net/Ravens.html James Brown Biography]
Notable present artists
- After 7
- Roy Ayers
- Walter Beasley
- Bell Biv DeVoe
- Bobby Brown
- J Anthony Brown
- Tevin Campbell
- The Chi-Lites
- The Delfonics
- DMX
- The Dramatics
- En Vogue
- Johnny Gill
- Heavy D
- Howard Hewett
- Jennifer Holliday{{Cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/thejenniferholliday|title=JENNIFER HOLLIDAY {{!}} Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos|website=Myspace|date=15 May 2015 |access-date=2016-04-10}}
- Chaka Khan
- KRS-One
- Donald Lawrence
- Mary Mary
- MC Hammer{{Cite web|url=http://www.fanmail.biz/7855.html|title=★ M.C. Hammer Address|website=www.fanmail.biz|access-date=2016-04-10}}
- Mos Def
- Najee
- The O'Jays
- Phil Perry
- Pieces of a Dream
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Slick Rick
- Angie Stone
- The Stylistics{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestylistics.org/4.html|title=Booking Information - THE STYLISTICS|website=www.thestylistics.org|access-date=2016-04-10}}
- The Sugarhill Gang
- Keith Sweat
- SWV
- Too Short
- Jimmy "JJ" Walker
- CeCe Winans
- Angela Winbush
Notable past artists
- Charles Aznavour
- Hank Ballard and The Midnighters
- Chuck Berry
- Tiny Bradshaw
- James Brown & The Famous Flames{{Cite web|url=http://www.history-of-rock.com/james_brown.htm|title=James Brown|website=www.history-of-rock.com|access-date=2016-04-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%2522universal+attractions%2522+%2522ben+bart%2522|title=%22universal attractions%22 %22ben bart%22 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2016-04-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/news/features/artifact/42043/|title=Artifact: Fax It Loud|website=NYMag.com|date=12 December 2007 |access-date=2016-04-10}}
- Arnett Cobb
- The "5" Royales
- Grateful Dead
- Jimmy Lunceford
- Little Willie John
- The Ravens{{Cite web |url=http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Ravens/ravens01.html |title=Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - the Ravens |access-date=2009-11-23 |archive-date=2009-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125100004/http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Ravens/ravens01.html |url-status=dead }}
- Joe Tex
- Dinah Washington{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R-DpxKQ67IkC&q=%2522universal%2520attractions%2522%2520%2522ben%2520bart%2522&pg=PA217|title=Icons of R&B and Soul: Ray Charles; Little Richard; Fats Domino; Ruth Brown; LaVern Baker; Sam Cooke; Jackie Wilson; Etta James; Ike and Tina Turner; The Isley Brothers; James Brown|last=Gulla|first=Bob|date=2008-01-01|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=9780313340451|language=en}}
- Cootie Williams
Notable past agents
- Dick Allen
- Dick Boone
- James Crawford
- Lewis (Chet) Dillon
- Jack Fink
- Harry Lineshetska
- Joe Marsolais
- Larry Myers
- Marti Otelsburg
- Deloris Rosayler
- Tammy Taylor
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.universalattractions.com Universal Attractions website]
Category:Talent agencies of the United States
Category:Companies based in New York City
Category:American companies established in 1949