Spokane Symphony to rock with Ben Folds

Oct 7, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

The Spokane Symphony and pop rock pianist Ben Folds will combine forces to present an exciting, innovative concert Sunday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. This is part of a tour of performances with Symphony orchestras around the country, including the Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra.

Folds brings an exciting blend of musical styles to his eclectic live engagements.Widely known for his prowess as a pianist, Ben Folds began his career as a drummer, while also adept at guitar and bass, Folds is best known as a solo artist and as the frontman and pianist of Ben Folds Five. Celebrated for a unique compositional style and playing technique, Folds’ music is evocative of artists such as Joe Jackson and Sir Elton John, with an added edge and bold infusion of energy and wit.

Where most alternative bands of the '90s specialized in distorted teen-angst rock, the guitarless trio Ben Folds Five was a refreshing break from the norm. The group’s sound was more akin to power popsters, but like punk bands, Ben Folds Five put on a high energy, blistering live show, turning the band into a must-see live act.  The band was signed to an independent record label, resulting in their self-titled debut one year later. Quite a buzz was stirring for the band by the time of their second album issued on Epic Records. 

2008 saw the release of Ben’s next solo studio album Way to Normal featuring the hit duet with Regina Spektor “You Don’t Know Me.” On April 28, 2009 Ben released a collection of his songs sung a cappella. This record, Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella! featuresthirteen university a cappella groups from across the United States as well as 1 high school group. Not to be outdone by the undergraduates, Folds recorded two of his own a cappella tracks: instrument-free versions of “Effington” (from his 2008 album Way to Normal) and  “Boxing,” which originally appeared on the 1995 self-titled Ben Folds Five album.

Consistently touring, Folds has earned a reputation for his wit, musicality and charismatic, energetic live shows and for being a leader in youth-oriented worlds of developing technologies and trends. In 2006, Folds became the first artist to do a live performance webcast on Myspace.com, now available as a DVD, Ben Folds Live at Myspace. He also was the first artist chosen by Myspace in 2008 for their “Front to Back” program which asks artists to perform live one of that artist’s seminal albums in the same sequence as the original recording. For this Folds reunited Ben Folds Five for their last album together, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, in their home state of North Carolina.

Fold's performance with the Spokane Symphony at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $37 and $42 and can be purchased from Ticket office, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets will also be available at all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or at spokanesymphony.org.