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Latif Bolat is a native of the Turkish Mediterranean town of Mersin. After receiving his degree in folklore and music at Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey, he taught traditional music throughout Eastern Anatolia. He then went on to manage a musical theater company, Ankara Halk Tiyatrosu, which performed traditional musical plays.
Now residing in California, Mr.Bolat is one of the distinguished Turkish musicians in the US. With a vast repertory that includes songs in classical, folk and Sufi music styles, he accompanies himself on the baglama (long-necked lute), and various other traditional instruments from the Turkish folk music tradition.
His recent performance and teaching engagements include:
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Mr. Bolat has recently been touring from Vermont to Louisiana, from Utah to Hawaii, performing in many different settings such as university concert halls to open air festivals. He has also been in the teaching staff of the Mendocino Middle Eastern Music Camp and Honolulu Music and Dance Camp. During his visits to his homeland, Turkey, Mr.Bolat has performed and lectured at various radio stations and cultural institutions and conservatories in Istanbul and Ankara.
The California Art Council rewarded Mr.Bolat with a grant in 1991 for his contributions to the preservation of Turkish folk music. Latif Bolat currently directs the San Francisco based Latif Bolat Turkish Music Ensemble. He also serves as musical director for the Mevlevi Association of America, a sufi organization which stages public performances of movement with live Turkish classical music.
Mr. Bolat may be reached at 1806 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA. Phone (510) 644-1966, or email lbolat@aol.com