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 in musically expressing the genuine roots of the songs we sing, but we 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. We have had wonderful learning experiences from our many audiences.

This mission has led Talisman to perform in East Palo Alto elderly centers, tour the South, travel to South African townships, tutor and donate a computer to an East Palo Alto high school student, and to unite in performance with diverse groups such as: an Oakland storyteller, an Oakland gospel group, an East Palo Alto church gospel choir, Stanford's Taiko, Stanford's Kuumba, and Stanford's Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

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 the community of audiences, performers, and artists that we have enjoyed and learned from in our performance history. We believe that creating such communities is a great benefit of the powers of music.