Member Since: 5/27/2006
Band Website: universesonstage.com
Band Members: Core members: Mildred Ruiz, Steven Sapp, Gamal Chasten, William Ruiz (a.k.a- NINJA)Current active alternate UNIVERSES include: Maurice Turner (M.U.G.A.B.E.E.), Irene Shaikley, Mtume Gant (Playback Theater), Kenny Jones.Universes history snapshot - Past and present company members in order of appearance: Steven Sapp; Flaco Navaja (Yerba Buena); Caridad De La Luz (La Bruja); Hector Rivera (Welfare Poets); Mildred Ruiz; Angel Rodriguez (Welfare Poets); Paul Thompson (U.A.M.A); Carlos Pimentel (Minino); Lemon; Gamal Chasten; Indio Melendez; Rokafella (Full Circle); Dominic Colon; Ninja Blades; Marlyn Matias; Denise De La Cruz; Antoine Drye; (Last Word/God took away his poem/Lotus Casts); Maurice Turner (M.U.G.A.B.E.E); Irene Shaikley; Mtume Gant (Playback Theater); Kenny Jones.
Influences: MUSIC:
Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Prince, Mahalia Jackson, Sly & The Family Stone, Odilio Gonzales, Hector Lavoe, Jose Feliciano, Juan Legido, Imortal Technique, La Lupe, Jimi Hendrix, Louie Armstrong, Etta James, Coco Taylor, Cypress Hill, Lola FloresPOETRY:
Reg.e.gaines, Willie Perdomo, Dael Orlandersmith, Louis Reyes Rivera, Amiri Baraka, Sandra Maria Esteves, Sekou Sundiata, Pedro Pietri, Wayne Providence, The Last Poets, Langston Hughes, Bob Holman, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, John Milton,CONTEMPPORARY’S (Poetry & Music)
Rha Goddess, Mariposa, Suheir Hammad, Carl Hancock Rux, Alexis HightowerTHEATER:
Eric Bagosian, George C. Wolf, Samuel Beckett, Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones), Dael Orlandersmith, Reg.e.gaines, Fedeico Garcia Lorca, Pregones TheaterORGANIZATIONS:
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Pregones Theater, New York Theater WokshopOTHER:
Richard Pryor, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali
Type of Label: None