Talisman was created to explore and perform substantive, cultural music. This has become our mantra as we strive to give voice to the vast collection of human stories told through rich and vibrant song. We appreciate the great challenge of responsibly engaging with the genuine roots of the songs we sing, and are committed to bringing these songs to life as best our abilities allow..

We also feel that the music asks us not only to perform it for itself, but to use it as a means both to grow as individuals and to share meaningful experiences with our audiences and collaborators. We find that no matter where or with whom we carry the music, there is a great deal to learn from our interactions as we all experience the inspiration borne of human struggle and triumph.

This mission has led Talisman to perform at several Bay Area Schools, tour in communities in California and the Southern United States, and embark on five tours in South Africa where we have cultivated lasting relationships with several township communities and organizations like the Amy Biehl Foundation.

We have also been honored by performing at the White House, the Olympics, the Hollywood Bowl, and with performance artists such as Seal and Vusi Mahlasela. We have also been honored to workshop with The Soweto Gospel Choir and Johannesburg’s legendary Imilonji Kantu Choral Society. Over our twenty years of existence projects have also included tutoring and donating a computer to an East Palo Alto high school student, and uniting in performance with diverse groups such as: An Oakland Storyteller, various Bay Area community gospel choirs, Stanford’s Taiko, and numerous other Stanford student groups. Most recently, we started a project to co-produce and album with the Peace Africa Children’s Ensemble in order to support their direct empowerment projects in Uganda and the greater East African community.

Talisman has also formed a strong bond with minority artists who have shared and demonstrated their remarkable talents on Talisman albums. Artists and their works have included: Paul Nzalamba (“And the Sun Came”), Stanley Bernard Hoyes (“Spiritual Climax”), and Samual Akainyah (“From Whence We Came”).

Commitment to our fundamental mission as people and singers has helped us to build a strong community of audiences, performers, and artists that we continue to learn from as we expand our vision for the future of our group and global community. We believe that the strength of these bonds across the wide array of experiences they represent is a testament to the unifying power of music