February 6 - 10

The Ruby Room Series

ELLA & LOUIS 

The Music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

In honor of Kansas City’s Jazz roots, we will celebrate an evening of songs performed by two of the most notable Jazz musicians to ever walk the Earth: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

The Space

Ruby Room

More about the show

Ella and Louis were the best of friends with voices and talent that beautifully complimented their friendship. Get ready to sing along to their popular duets, solo tunes and learn more about why these two are rightfully named Jazz Music’s Perfect Partnership!

 

The Ruby Room series is hybrid nightclub/concert experience celebrating American music and culture. Cocktails are curated to coincide with the evening’s performance. Join us for martinis, music, and mood…

Cast & Creative Team

HOSTED BY
Ron Lackey

VOCALISTS
Eboni Fondren
Ayana Tribitt
Robert Vardiman

PIANO & MUSIC DIRECTOR
Desmond Mason

LIGHTING SUPERVISOR
Shelbi Arndt

AUDIO SUPERVISOR
Gianna Agostino

Curated  by Linnaia McKenzie

Performers

Ron Lackey

Read Bio

Ron is thrilled to return for his 2nd Ruby Room show. Having done such productions at MTH as Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stevie: Signed, Sealed, Delivered and  Cats, Ron feels right at home here. Ron is also the manager and lead vocalist for the band 2Proud2Beg and has been involved in music for over 25 years. He is also a music minister at a church in Overland Park, KS where he lives with his wife, Kim, of 30 years and his 4 children.

Eboni Fondren

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Dynamic vocalist and entertainer Eboni Fondren brings passion and excitement whenever she takes the stage. Her precise readings of jazz standards, which she seasons with a dash of R&B, fill a room with energy and delight. With a smooth and sultry finish, audiences will be enchanted by her lyrical interpretation and ability to draw them in, leaving them wanting more. Graduating from the Everette DeVan School of Groove in 2012, Eboni has become one of the most highly sought-after and premiere jazz vocalists in Kansas City. In addition to her own musical projects, which include Eboni and the Ivories and a member of the Lost Wax Band, Eboni has had an extensive career as an actress in the Kansas City theatre scene. Some highlighted roles include: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Hi Hat Hattie with the Black Rep of Kansas City and under the direction of Damron Armstrong, and Medda Larkin in the Kansas City premiere of Newsies at the White Theater under the direction of Jerry Jar Cranford. She is extremely delighted and honored to be returning to MTH singing the music of the one and only Ella Fitzgerald.

Ayana Tribitt

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Ayana Tribitt is a vocalist, performance artist, dj, model, sound healer and creative activist. Having a passion for music has lead her to open for J.Cole and sing vocals on Jennifer Lopez’s “T.E.N.S.”, Ayana has been showcased worldwide at legendary venues like Take 5 in Osaka,Japan. Ayana is also known as “ERA AURA”, and is set to release a new studio project. Ayana enjoys her work as a model and was recently featured in the MILK exhibit in LA “Remember When: A Year in Review” in 2021. In 2022, Ayana had the pleasure of being a member of the cast for the very first Ruby Room Series, “For Lovers” adding commentary and hosting to the list for “For the Culture” and theater as a cast member for MTH’s “Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “The Glass Menagerie.”

Robert Vardiman

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Local: Kinky Boots  (The White Theatre at the J); The Royale (KCRep); Toni Stone (The Unicorn Theatre); Hair: Then & Now, Blame it on the Boogie, Ragtime, In the Heights, Nelly Don the Musical (Music Theater Heritage); Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom, Memphis, The Meeting (The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City); Alice’sWonderland (The Coterie Theatre)EducationalTheatreCronkite, School House Rock Live!,Cabaret. Follow on Instagram @luhrob13

Musicians

Desmond Mason

Piano & Music Director

Chalis O'Neal

Trumpet

Andrew Wray

Drums

Amil McDaniel

Bass

Meet the Makers

Join us as we take our creative team out into the community for these free neighborhood events.

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