Author: UAA Staff

New York, NY – May 20, 2025 – This month, Universal Attractions Agency (UAA), a cornerstone of the live entertainment industry, proudly celebrates its 80th anniversary—a milestone that honors eight decades of shaping music, culture, and live performance. Since its founding in 1945, UAA has championed iconic artists, pioneered talent representation, and remained at the forefront of the world of entertainment.

Speaking on the milestone, UAA owner Jeff Epstein said: “Celebrating 80 years of Universal Attractions Agency is more than a milestone—it’s a moment to honor the legacy of a company that has shaped the live entertainment industry and continues to thrive. As a proud co-owner, that history means a great deal to me. It’s a reminder of where we’ve come from and the standard we hold ourselves to every day.”

“At UAA, we believe in one core principle: if you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind. Growth isn’t optional—it’s who we are. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for the future we’re building together.”

UAA’s General Manager Nick Martucci also added: “Eighty years ago, Universal Attractions Agency broke barriers and built bridges for artists who helped define American music. It’s an honor to carry that legacy forward today with a team committed to innovation and artist-first representation. This milestone isn’t just about where we’ve been—it’s a reminder of the responsibility and opportunity we have to shape what’s next.”

Universal Attractions Agency was founded on May 15, 1945, by Ben Bart, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, who established the agency after leaving the Gale Agency. He brought artists such as The Ink Spots, Dinah Washington, and Little Willie John to the new agency located in New York City. Now, 80 years later and rooted in the heart of midtown Manhattan, Universal Attractions Agency continues to be a driving force in the live music industry. It is guided by co-owners Jeff Allen and Jeff Epstein, General Manager Nick Martucci, and Partner Adam Zagor. Together, they have helped shape the careers of many of today’s most prominent artists, comedians, and entertainers.

As Universal Attractions Agency celebrates its 80 years in business, it takes pride in its rich history as a trailblazer in the live music industry. In 1948, UAA client The Ink Spots became the first Black artists to appear on the groundbreaking “Ed Sullivan Show.” Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, UAA played a crucial role in breaking racial barriers in the entertainment industry by booking Black artists, such as Little Richard and Chuck Berry, into venues that had previously been closed to them due to Jim Crow laws. This was a time when Black artists were mainly restricted to television appearances and often barred from performing in venues that catered to white audiences.

A significant milestone in the early history of Universal Attractions Agency occurred in 1956 when a then-relatively unknown teenager named James Brown signed with the agency. This moment marked the launch of the career of “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” a title he earned for his relentless touring schedule, which saw him perform over 300 shows a year at the height of his fame. UAA represented James Brown for over 40 years, guiding the career of one of the greatest live entertainers in history. In recognition of his achievements, Brown was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, and sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

During this era, alongside James Brown, Universal Attractions Agency represented some of the biggest stars and most influential names in music, including Aretha Franklin, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Chuck Berry, Etta James, The Grateful Dead, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, and The Stylistics. With a roster of iconic artists and the vision of Ben Bart and his son, Jack Bart, who took over the agency in 1965, UAA established itself as a leader in the live entertainment industry.

Known for its history of primarily representing Black artists, Universal Attractions Agency began diversifying its roster in the 1980s when Jeff Allen joined the agency. He hired Jeff Epstein in 1995, and together they booked some of the decade’s most prominent metal acts, including Sepultura, Sacred Reich, Biohazard, King Diamond, and Death Angel while continuing to book and grow UAA’s R&B business and embark on booking hip-hop with the representation of MC Hammer and Salt-N-Pepa, among others.

In 2007, Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) experienced another pivotal moment when Epstein and Allen acquired the agency from Ben Bart’s son, Jack, as he decided to retire.

The term “Universal Attractions” is most closely associated with the concept of “the package.” As a pioneer in packaging tours, UAA has made it a staple of its business model by placing multiple acts together under one bill. Some examples from the ’90s through today include the ’70s Soul Jam (still performing today) and The New Jack Swing Tour featuring Guy, Blackstreet, Tony Toni Tone, and After 7.  Since then, UAA has continued to excel in this area, successfully organizing mega tours such as the decade-long “I Love The 90s Tour,” the “One Nation Under a Groove Tour” featuring George Clinton & P-Funk, Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, and Fishbone, as well as “Hammers House Party,” “Pop 2000” and many others.

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought the live music industry and much of the world to a standstill in 2020, Universal Attractions Agency emerged stronger on the other side by continuing its expansion. In 2022, it launched a dedicated Rock & Pop division, followed by a Latin department in 2023, hiring new agents in both areas. Recent signings include the return of Booker T. Jones, along with Talib Kweli, Barrington Levy, Afroman, Treach of Naughty By Nature, MKTO, Stevie B, Dru Hill, Nine Days, and The Click Five. Additionally, UAA has ventured into live productions and the podcast world with projects like Chippendales, “GenX Takeover The Comedy Tour,” Brotherly Love, and Deal or No Deal Live.

Today, Universal Attractions Agency is at the forefront of the music industry, continuing a legacy of nurturing the careers of over 250 artists across multiple genres, with 18 agents spread across five departments. The year 2025 has started strong, unveiling a newly renovated, state-of-the-art office in Midtown Manhattan and a nomination for “Independent Booking Agency of the Year” at the 2025 Pollstar Awards in April.

Universal Attractions Agency celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 15, 2025.

Courtesy of the artist.

Salsa is getting the mainstream attention it deserves. On May 19, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and Grupo Niche announced their joint “Salsa Pa’l Mundo Tour.” The upcoming tour will kick off at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA (Oct. 16) and wrap up at the Kia Center in Orlando, FL (Dec. 7).

“Salsa Pa’l Mundo Tour. Get ready to dance with us on a tour that will take salsa a lo más alto,” Grupo Niche wrote in Spanish online. “🎟️ Tickets available starting May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. EST at CMNEVENTS.COM.”

In a separate post, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico wrote in Spanish: “Excited to announce this tour ‘Salsa Pal’ Mundo Tour’ joining Grupo Niche, bringing joy, flavor and music 🎶 💃🏻.”

After starting their co-headlining tour in Ontario, the popular salsa bands will perform at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 18); the Theatre in MSG in New York, NY (Nov. 7); and the Agganis Arena in Boston, MA (Nov. 8). More stops include the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT (Nov. 20); the Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, VA (Nov. 21); and the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ (Nov. 23).

The tour will conclude with two stops in Florida. They will perform at the Kaseya Center in Miami, FL (Dec. 5) and the Kia Center in Orlando, FL (Dec. 7).

Both bands are known for their iconic salsa sounds. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico – also known as El Gran Combo – is popular thanks to their classics like “Brujeria,” “Un Verano en Nueva York” (which Bad Bunny recently sampled on “NUEVAYoL”), and “Me Liberé.” On the other hand, Grupo Niche is known for their popular songs like “Una Aventura,” “Algo Que Se Quede,” and “Sin Sentimientos.”

Tickets for the “Salsa Pa’l Mundo Tour” will go on sale starting on May 23 at 10 a.m. local time. For more ticket and tour information, check out CMN Event’s official website.

May 12, 2025 – New York, NY – Universal Attractions is excited to announce that legendary musician, songwriter, and record producer Booker T. Jones has signed exclusively with the agency. UAA’s Ryan Slone will act as responsible agent. The signing represents a homecoming for the Memphis icon, who originally joined the agency in 1967 under the representation of agent Dick Allen.

On the signing, UAA’s Ryan Slone said: “I’m beyond thrilled to continue the legacy of Booker T. Jones, whose contributions to modern music are immeasurable. It’s an honor to be working with such a legend.”

Booker T. Jones added: “This feels like coming home. Universal Attractions looked after me when I first began touring, and I feel that same excitement now!”

Booker T. Jones, an architect of the iconic Memphis soul sound, formed the band Booker T. & the M.G.’s in 1962. That same year, they released their debut album, “Green Onions,” under Stax Records. The title track became a massive hit worldwide and has since reached legendary status. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and appeared on Rolling Stone’s “Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” lists in both 2004 and 2024. In 2012, the Library of Congress added the track to the National Recording Registry.

In addition to all the accolades, “Green Onions” has been covered countless times by artists such as Tom Petty, Roy Buchanan, Deep Purple, and The Blues Brothers. The song continues to be a popular culture’s mainstay, recently featured in this year’s Uber Eats commercial during Super Bowl LIX.

As the leader of the renowned Stax Records house band, Booker T. Jones appeared on over 600 Stax recordings, helping to establish the enduring legacy of the signature southern soul sound. This sound is exemplified in hits by artists such as Otis Redding, Albert King, Sam & Dave, and Carla Thomas. After leaving Stax in 1970, Jones maintained a prolific career throughout the 1970s. During this time, he produced notable albums, including “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers and Willie Nelson’s five-time platinum album “Stardust.” He also released a series of successful solo albums.

In the years and decades that followed, Jones has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in music across a wide variety of genres. His collaborators include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, The Roots, Matt Berninger of The National, Hozier, and many others. For his significant contributions as both a recording artist and record producer, Booker T. Jones was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

The 21st century saw Booker T. Jones win two of his three career Grammys for his albums “Potato Hole” in 2009 and “The Road From Memphis” in 2011, both of which received the Best Pop Instrumental Album award. In 2013, he marked a significant milestone by returning to Stax Records after 30 years with his album “Sound The Alarm.” In 2019, Jones published his acclaimed memoir, “Time is Tight: My Life, Note by Note,” in which he shares his journey from his early years in segregated Memphis, Tennessee, to becoming an influential music legend. Today, Booker T. Jones remains a relentless performer with 30 performances alone last year, appearing at festivals such as the TD Victoria International JazzFest, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and the 25th Edmonton Blues Festival.

About Universal Attractions Agency / UAA:

Celebrating 80 years in the music business and founded in 1945 by Ben Bart, Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) is a leading talent agency headquartered in New York City. With a rich history that includes launching the career of legendary soul singer James Brown and representing him for over 40 years, UAA has been at the forefront of the entertainment industry for decades.

Today, UAA continues to guide the careers of prominent artists and entertainers. The agency represents over 250 artists, facilitates performances worldwide, and maintains its status as an industry leader.

UAA’s commitment to personalized attention and professionalism has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner in the entertainment sector, consistently adapting to the evolving landscape of the live music and entertainment industries.

To find more information about Universal Attractions and the agency’s roster, visit the official UAA website.