Turkish Singer, Composer and Scholar of Turkish Music and Folklore 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 the country. He then went on to manage Ankara Halk Tiyatrosu, a musical theater company, which performed traditional musical plays. Latif Bolat also received additional degrees in Turkish History and Middle East Religion and Politics from Ankara University and an MBA from San Francisco State University.
Now partially residing in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Mersin, Turkey. One of the most well-known Turkish musicians in the US, his mesmerizing performances draw on ancient texts and employ traditional instrumentation such as the Saz (long necked lute.) , Mr.Bolat has presented his music all across America, Canada, Australia, Sweden, India, New Zealand, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, Philippines and England.
With a vast repertory that includes songs in classical, folk and Sufi music styles, he accompanies his singing on the baglama and various other traditional instruments from the Turkish folk music tradition.
Specializing in the ancient Turkish devotional music genre, Latif Bolat has been received with appreciation and enthusiasm throughout the world, as he provides a unique philosophy and approach to the performance of traditional music. By creating an intimate, almost “storytelling” atmosphere, he explains Turkish folk and devotional music and its sociopolitical and cultural elements.
In addition to the concerts and lectures around the world, Latif Bolat released four CD’s, composed soundtrack music for TBS documentary “Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet” and George Lucas Studios TV series “Young Indiana Jones”. With poet Jennifer Ferraro, he translated a compilation of ancient Turkish Sufi poets entitled “Quarreling with God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey” which was published in September 2006 by White Cloud Press.
Tickets can be purchased:
- on Biļešu Serviss website www.bilesuserviss.lv,
- at Biļešu Serviss ticket desks around Latvia,
- at the concert hall before the concert.
Information: (+371) 28252314
