Stanford Talisman

Stanford Talisman
Stanford Talisman in 2019
Stanford Talisman in 2019
Background information
OriginStanford, California, U.S.
GenresA Cappella
Years active1990—present
Websitewww.stanfordtalisman.com

Stanford Talisman is a student a cappella group at Stanford University, dedicated to sharing stories through music. Started in 1990 by Stanford student Joseph Pigato, their roots are in music from South Africa and the African diaspora, but they have since broadened their horizons to include music from all over the world.[1] They perform not only locally in the greater San Francisco Bay Area but also around the world. Their most recent tour was to Mumbai and Udaipur, India, in spring of 2019.[2][better source needed] The group has also traveled to South Africa (2016) and Hawai'i (2018).[citation needed] The group won the 1997 ICCA competition [3] and notable performances include the 1996 Olympic Games,[4] the White House,[5] with 10-time Grammy award winner Bobby McFerrin in 2005[6] and 2019,[7] with Seal in 2009,[8] with Joan Baez in 2019,[9] annually at Stanford Graduation Baccalaureate,[10] and their sold-out 25th Anniversary Show in Bing Concert Hall in 2015.[11]

Their musical repertoire includes their arrangements of "One by One" by Lebo M., "Lift Ev'ry Voice" (the Black national anthem), "Baba Yetu" by Talisman alumni Christopher Tin (a song featured in the video game Civilization IV), Sweet Honey in the Rock's "Wanting Memories," a compilation of the two songs "Hawai'i '78" and "E Ala E"] performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and the traditional spiritual "Amazing Grace."[citation needed]

Talisman has released eight full-length albums as well as a 10-year anniversary compilation entitled "Shine," and a 20-year compilation, "Twenty," and two five-song EPs.[12][non-primary source needed] The group was featured on the 1997 Best of Collegiate A Cappella compilation,[13] and has received recognition from CARA, most recently in 2004, winning "Mixed-Group Album of the Year" for Watch Me Fly.[14]

  1. ^ Leavitt, Zoe (16 February 2010). "CRESCENDO: Twenty years of Talisman". Stanford Daily. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  2. ^ Stanford Talisman, The 'Ulu Tree | Stanford Talisman Spring Tour 2018 Documentary, retrieved 2019-02-05
  3. ^ "1997 ICCA Results". ICCA site. Archived from the original on 2007-05-06. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  4. ^ "The Stanford Daily 18 July 1996 — The Stanford Daily". stanforddailyarchive.com. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  5. ^ "March/April 2000 Farm Report". Stanford Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. ^ "Bobby McFerrin's unique music style astounds Stanford Audience". The PALY Voice. Retrieved 2005-06-03.
  7. ^ Stanford, © Stanford University; Notice, California 94305 Copyright Complaints Trademark (2005-05-25). "All together now". Stanford University. Retrieved 2019-02-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Talisman a capella joins Seal on stage". Stanford University News. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  9. ^ "Walking in the Footsteps of MLK, Rev. William Barber Brings Stanford Audience to its Feet". KQED. 2019-01-20. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
  10. ^ Stanford, Stanford Baccalaureate Highlights 2018, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2019-02-05
  11. ^ Stanford Talisman, Stanford Talisman's 25th Anniversary Show, retrieved 2019-02-06
  12. ^ "Store". Talisman. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
  13. ^ "1997 BOCA". BOCA site. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  14. ^ "2004 CARA Awards". Retrieved 2007-08-03.