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. Mr. 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 residing in California, Mr.Bolat is one of the most distinguished Turkish musicians in the US. His concert and conference itinerary has taken him all across America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and England. With a vast repertory that includes songs in classical, folk and Sufi mystic music styles, he accompanies his singing on the baglama (long-necked lute), and various other traditional instruments from the Turkish folk music tradition.

His recent performance and teaching engagements include:

- Soundtrack music for George Lucas Studios TV series "Young Indiana Jones"
- Concert tours at International Festivals and universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Indonesia and Turkey.
- Concerts and conferences at the United Nations, University of California at Berkeley, Monash University in Melbourne, University of Chicago, Ohio State University, Indiana University, North Carolina State University, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Stanford University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, University of Southern California, Louisiana State University, San Francisco State University, University of Washington, Oregon State University, Texas Technical University, San Jose State University, University of Utah, Sacramento State University, Sonoma State University, Arizona State University, University of South Carolina, Claremont College, University of Hawaii, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Clemson University in S. Carolina, Young Harris College in Georgia, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Washington University at St. Louis, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Denver, College of Santa Fe, Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaigne, Sacramento City College, University of Arizona, Cleveland State University, Florida International University, Drexel University, Northeastern University, Brigham Young University.
- Repeated performances at San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, as well as at National Folk Festival in Canberra/Australia, Forest Meadows Music Festival, Cabrillo Music Festival in Santa Cruz, First Night Monterey Festival, Kolo Dance Festival in San Francisco, Pacific Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, EXPO 86 in Vancouver, Canada, International Sufism Symposium in San Francisco, Salt Lake City International Art Festival, First Night Tacoma Festival in Washington, Port Angeles Festival in Washington State, Lotus Festival in Bloomington/Indiana, World Music Festival at U. of Colorado at Boulder, Monterey World Music Festival and Rumi Festival in Vancouver/Canada. He has also been in the teaching staff of the World Music School in Bali/Indenosia, Mendocino Middle Eastern Music Camp and Honolulu Music and Dance Camp.

The California Art Council rewarded Mr.Bolat with a grant for his contributions to the preservation of Turkish traditional music. Latif Bolat also serves as musical director for the Mevlevi Association of America "Whirling Dervishes," a Sufi organization which stages public performances of movement with live Turkish classical music.

Latif Bolat
Lbolat@aol.com
28 Camino Tetzcoco, Santa Fe, NM 87508

For music, picture and further information: http://www.latifbolat.com

Sema Karaoglu, Founder
Sons_of_Ataturk@yahoo.com