Universal Attractions Agency

American talent agency

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Universal Attractions, Inc.Company type| Private

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Founded| New York, New York (1945)
Headquarters| 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) [1] in 1945. The New York City-based agency is currently under the management of Jeff Allen[2] 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.[3][4]

## History

[edit]

In 1945, agent Ben Bart decided to resign from his position at The Gale Agency. He opened the Universal Attractions Agency that same year.[5][6][7][8]

## Notable present artists

[edit]

* After 7
* Roy Ayers
* Walter Beasley
* Bell Biv DeVoe
* Bobby Brown
* J Anthony Brown
* Tevin Campbell
* The Chi-Lites[2]
* The Delfonics
* DMX
* The Dramatics[2]
* En Vogue
* Johnny Gill
* Heavy D
* Howard Hewett
* Jennifer Holliday[9]
* Chaka Khan
* KRS-One
* Donald Lawrence
* Mary Mary
* MC Hammer[10]
* Mos Def
* Najee
* The O'Jays
* Phil Perry
* Pieces of a Dream
* Salt-N-Pepa
* Slick Rick
* Angie Stone
* The Stylistics[11]
* The Sugarhill Gang
* Keith Sweat
* SWV
* Too Short
* Jimmy "JJ" Walker
* CeCe Winans
* Angela Winbush

## Notable past artists

[edit]

* Charles Aznavour
* Hank Ballard and The Midnighters
* Chuck Berry
* Tiny Bradshaw
* James Brown & The Famous Flames[12][13][14]
* Arnett Cobb
* The "5" Royales
* Grateful Dead
* Jimmy Lunceford
* Little Willie John
* The Ravens[15][16]
* Joe Tex
* Dinah Washington[16]
* Cootie Williams

## Notable past agents

[edit]

* Dick Allen
* Dick Boone
* James Crawford
* Lewis (Chet) Dillon
* Jack Fink
* Harry Lineshetska
* Joe Marsolais
* Larry Myers
* Marti Otelsburg
* Deloris Rosayler
* Tammy Taylor

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gulla, Bob (2008). "Icons of R & B and soul : an encyclopedia of the artists who revolutionized rhythm". Greenwood Press. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-08807-0. OCLC 230807722. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
2. ^ a b c "CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles". www.celebrityaccess.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
3. ^ "Universal Attractions Agency". www.universalattractions.com/. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
4. ^ "James Brown: Behind The Scenes Of A Legendary Career At UAA". www.pollstar.com/. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
5. ^ "Doowopcafe.net".
6. ^ "James Brown Biography". Rolling Stone.
7. ^ CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles
8. ^ James Brown Biography
9. ^ "JENNIFER HOLLIDAY | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
10. ^ "★ M.C. Hammer Address". www.fanmail.biz. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
11. ^ "Booking Information - THE STYLISTICS". www.thestylistics.org. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
12. ^ "James Brown". www.history-of-rock.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
13. ^ ""universal attractions" "ben bart" - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
14. ^ "Artifact: Fax It Loud". NYMag.com. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
15. ^ "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - the Ravens". Archived from the original on 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
16. ^ a b Gulla, Bob (2008-01-01). 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. Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313340451.

## External links

[edit]

* Universal Attractions website