Eboni Fondren

"Jazz: The Women Who Shaped Me" pays tribute to iconic jazz legends through story, song, and soul. Kansas City, MO – This summer, acclaimed vocalist Eboni Fondren takes center stage at the KC Fringe Festival with her stunning one-woman show, Jazz: The Women Who Shaped Me, running July 18–25, 2025. A spellbinding tribute to the legendary women of jazz who molded her into the artist she is today, the performance combines storytelling, original songs, and vintage stylings in a heartfelt musical journey. Through soulful voiceover narration, archival video, and dazzling live performances, Fondren brings the lives and legacies of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, and Julia Lee to vibrant life. Each segment captures the struggles and triumphs of these trailblazers, framed by Eboni's own reflections and original music. It’s more than a concert—it’s a celebration of identity, influence, and the unbreakable power of Black women in jazz. “These women didn’t just sing,” Fondren says. “They taught me how to show up—loudly, unapologetically, and with heart. I carry their stories in every note I sing.” SPECIFIC SHOW TIMES ARE BELOW: 7/18: 9 PM (OPENING) 7/19: 4:30 PM 7/20: 7:30 PM 7/23: 7:30 PM 7/25: 9:00 PM