Photos by Andy Argyrakis

For much of the 1990s into the 2000s, he fronted alternative/indie rockers Ben Folds Five, then embarked on a wide-ranging solo expedition, including recorded collaborations as widespread as English novelist Nick Hornby, the chamber pop collective yMusic Ensemble, and most recently, The National Symphony Orchestra.

Although any configuration or collaboration is always fascinating, so is seeing Ben Folds and purely a piano, since after all, when left to his own witty and whimsical devices, absolutely anything can happen.

And that it did throughout 90 minutes representing both the best of the band and a personal pen at the gorgeous Genesee Theatre, complete with loads of soul bearing, comical chatter and points of connections to the crowd.

From the beginning, Folds dove deep, vulnerably examining how he used to be a “Sentimental Guy,” then settled snuggly into such Five-era favorites as “The Last Polka” and “Don’t Change Your Plans.”

His singular sense of descriptive, observational storytelling came into greater focus come “All U Can Eat” and “Kristine From The 7th Grade,” while the frequent composer for film, TV and theater always had the masterful instrumental chops to match, no matter if pounding around “Effington” or gently playing “Still Fighting It.”

Even as a singer, Folds proved to be similarly distinctive, especially during the defiant “You Don’t Know Me” as he duetted with attendees who took over Regina Spektor’s recorded part.

The equally emotive “Annie Waits” had the fairly full house wanting more, so Folds wisely continued the theme of colorful characters across “Zak And Sara,” alongside the fantastically sarcastic “Army,” once again coming across as a true triple threat in all aspects of this uniquely intimate evening.

Chances are early arrivers recognized actress Lindsey Kraft from Netflix’s “Grace And Frankie” and “Obliterated,” though as she proved in person, was also quite a talent as a theatrical troubadour who complimented her contemporary in substance and style.

For additional information on Ben Folds, visit BenFolds.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Anthony Rodia (Nov. 13); “Swan Lake” (Nov. 14); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Nov. 20); Needtobreathe (Nov. 21); Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Nov. 22); The Rush Tribute Project (Nov. 23); Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Sheena Easton and Ilya Serov (Dec. 5); David Foster & Katharine McPhee (Dec. 6); Rain: A Beatles Christmas Tribute (Dec. 7); Dave Koz & Friends (Dec. 10); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Dec. 11); Matteo Bocelli (Dec. 12); Lady A (Dec. 13); Dancecenter North: “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 18-19); Lindsey Stirling (Dec. 20); BoDeans (Dec. 26); Michael Carbonaro (Dec. 27); Marshall Charloff & The Purple  Xperience and David Brighton’s Space Oddity (Jan. 9); Stone Temple Pilots (Jan. 17); Revisiting Creedence (Jan. 23); “#IMOMSOHARD” (Jan. 31); Theresa Caputo (Feb. 4); The Peking Acrobats (Feb. 21); John Oates & The Good Road Band (Mar. 7) and World Ballet Company: “Cinderella” (Apr. 19). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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