Eboni Fondren

Eboni Wardine Fondren, born in Chicago, Illinois is an American singer/actress, whose career has spanned over two decades. It was noticed at very young age that singing, dancing and acting, came natural. Eboni was highly influenced by her father and her talented aunts who are accomplished singers in their own right. Everyone that observed Eboni’s performances knew that singing was something that would be a part of who she would be for the rest of her life. She developed a love and interest in old school soul, classic R&B and contemporary jazz, through her parent’s extensive music collections. At an early age Eboni heard recordings from Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Jimmy Scott with Lionel Hampton's Big Band, to name a few. Over the years Eboni became aware of her talents; her acting and vocal skills developed and were showcased during middle school, high school, and in several community talent shows. She continued to hone her talents in choir, applied music and voice lessons. However, her love affair with jazz music was developed in college. Upon graduating Eboni embarked on a journey to make a name for herself in the Kansas City jazz scene. Under the tutelage of the internationally acclaimed Hammond B-3 organ player and bandleader, Mr. Everette DeVan, Eboni developed showmanship and leadership of working with the jazz band ensemble.

After graduating from college with a double degree in Business Communications and Broadcast Management, Eboni moved back to Kansas City with great expectations, determinations and experience under her belt. She joined a local theater group and began her acting career. Her performances have included the production of the Broadway smash "RENT, as the role of 'Joanne ", "Little Shop of Horrors" and "A Christmas Carol" at the Kansas City Rep, “Hairspray” at The New Dinner Theatre, Coterie Theatre's “Bud Not Buddy,” Spinning Tree Theatre's production of, “Ain't MisBehavin”, the very eclectic and raunchy Madame Thenardier in Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse's production of, “Les Miserables” in Rock Island, IL and most recent a featured role as Medda Larkin in the KC premier of Newsies at The White Theatre.

Eboni has become a bandleader in her own right. In addition to her own musical projects which include Eboni and the Ivories, and a member of the Lost Wax Band, Eboni collaborates with some of Kansas City's top musicians and can be heard swinging all over the local jazz scene.

Eboni is one of the most highly sought after and premiere jazz vocalists in Kansas City. She has twice been featured on the cover of The Jam Magazine, represented Kansas City in Chicago with the VistKC city takeover, performed for the groundbreaking of the new single terminal airport at KCI, sang the national anthem for the Women's National Gymnastics Championship and the NCAA Big 12 Tournaments. She has been a feature performer with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The Salina Symphony, The Mid-America Freedom Band, The Mighty Mo Combo, Vine Street Rumble and The Boulevard Big Band.

Eboni will be recording and doing a month long tour in Paris, France this spring.