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Mehmet Polat is an accomplished oud player, composer, ensemble leader and soloist who tours internationally. He was born in Urfa in 1981. Polat, brought up in spiritual Alevi culture, started the music as a family tradition, practicing in weekly rituals which were run with music, dance and poetry. He also practiced traditional and folk music as an autodidact. Between 1997 and 2003, he took private lessons from Fethi Conk, Kemal Karaosmaoglu, Erhan Bahci, Cihat Hircin, Enis Gencoglu and Faruk Kestiren, and studied Traditional Turkish music. Polat also took periodical lessons and external advises from the oud masters Mutlu Torun, Yurdal Tokcan, Mehmet Bitmez and Necati Celik. After graduating from the Music and Stage Arts Department at Yıldız Technical University in Istanbul in 2007, Polat pursued his study in the World music at the Conservatory of Rotterdam.
After completing his conservatory studies of Indian music and self-studies of Persian, Arabic, Flamenco and other musical styles in 2009, Polat discovered the inner world and spiritual side of the African music. He was touched especially the timbre of Kora. With Kora as the earth element, Oud as space and Ney as air, the idea of Mehmet Polat Trio was born. After a successful debut album with the member Pelin Başar and Victor Sams, The Mehmet Polat Trio is moving forward to its path with a deeper sense of fusing those musical traditions, bringing together fresh ideas, letting in the new energies and as well new musicians.
With a wide range of tone, makam from the Classic Turkish Music and the rhythm choices from Turkey, Balkan and World infused with African interpretation, these musicians are pushing their boundaries and moving forward in fusing the sound of this unique blend of instruments and the musical traditions from which they originate. After many years of research, Polat invented his own technique to advance beyond the limitations of his traditional instrument. With this new left hand technique, he can play more advanced and modern pieces. He has also designed an oud with two extra bass strings to broaden the range and function of his instrument.
CD Releases:
2016, Mehmet Polat Trio – Ask Your Heart (forthcoming)
2014, Mehmet Polat Trio – Next Spring
2012, Arifa "Anatolian Alchemy"
2011, Mehmet Polat ‘Desire’ solo CD
2010, Arifa "Beyond Babylon"
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