From itumeztr@sariyer.cc.itu.edu.tr Tue Mar 4 17:37:53 1997 Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 03:17:28 +0200 (EET) From: ITU Mezunlari Dernegi Haber Dagitim Merkezi To: ** ITUMD ** ISTANBUL TEKNIK UNIVERSITESI MEZUNLARI DERNEGI ULUSLARARASI KURULUSU Subject: Re: Latif Bolat Sufi Music Ensemble (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 18:41:12 -0700 From: FXOKSUZ0 To: Kaya Buyukataman , itumeztr@sariyer.cc.itu.edu.tr Subject: Re: Latif Bolat Sufi Music Ensemble ------------------- Please distribute for widest dissemination: Thank you, Faruk Oksuz - Chicago ------------------- A social gathering and an evening with: LATIF BOLAT SUFI MUSIC ENSEMBLE Performing on FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1997 - 8:00 pm (refreshments at 7:00 pm) at the INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO 1414 East 59th Street (near Museum of Science and Industry) Chicago, Illinois Cost: $10 donation - Student: $5 Info: (773)271-2422 The Turkish American Association for Cultural Exchange (TAACE) is sponsoring: Latif Bolat Sufi Music Ensemble in an inspiring evening featuring the Sufi music and poetry of Turkey. Latif Bolat Sufi Music Ensemble will present Turkish Sufi songs which are called Ilahi and Nefes, from the Anatolian peninsula. The lyrics of Ilahis or Nefeses are taken largely from the great 13th century mystical poets Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi and Yunus Emre. The main poem is sung verse by verse in recitative-chorus alternation. Usually each line is first intoned solo, then repeated by the group progressing from one song to the next without breaks to intensify the effect of the music. The program also includes Sufi poetry readings from 13th Century poets Yunus Emre and Rumi Latif Bolat is a native born Turkish musician who has lived and performed in the Bay Area for the past twelve years. One of the most well-known Turkish musicians in the U.S., he has toured and performed extensively from Vermont to Texas, West Virginia to Hawaii, presenting the original form of Turkish traditional music. He has just returned from a successful tour in Turkey. The most important characteristic of this music is the trance quality, with its mesmerizing rhythm and devotional lyrics. "The Sound" Magazine says of Latif Bolat's music: "The effect is very powerful, very soothing." -------- BIOGRAPHY: 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: * Soundtrack music for George Lucas Studios TV series "Young Indiana Jones;" * Concerts at University of California at Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, 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 * Lectures and conferences at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, San Jose State University, Sacramento City College, the College of the Redwoods, Texas Technical University, World Affairs Council of SF, Seattle Community College, Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, Claymont Institute in Virginia * Live appearances at Channel 9 TV and KLSU Radio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, KPFA, KLAW, KKUP, KUSF, KQED around the San Francisco Bay Area, KDVS and KXJZ in Sacramento, and KUNM in New Mexico * Repeated performances at San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, as well as at 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 i86 in Vancouver, Canada, International Sufism Symposium in San Francisco, Salt Lake City International Art Festival, First Night Tacoma Festival in Washington 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 P.O.Box 13231, Berkeley, CA 94712. Phone (510) 644-1966, or email lbolat@aol.com