Abel Selaocoe

Name: Abel Selaocoe

Role: Cellist and Honorary Associate Artist

About: There’s not much Abel hasn’t achieved since moving from South Africa to Manchester in 2010 to start his studies with us. From learning cello in the township of Soweto at an outreach programme, to graduating in 2016 as a rising star, this extraordinary artist has carved out his own distinctive path, weaving classical music and introducing rhythmic African music to the cello world. And it’s incredibly exciting! Breaking ground in taking the cello to new audiences, Abel collaborates with an incredible array of traditional musicians, Jazz musicians, poets and dancers. He takes his place as a soloist with orchestras across the world and creates improvised solo performances, composes works inspired by African contemporary ideas, often involving powerful communal singing and percussion, dissolving the space between musicians and audience. Abel is both an alumnus and Honorary Associate Artist, and we were delighted to welcome him back to his alma mater recently as part of his debut album tour, Hae Ke Kae (Where is Home) with The Bantu Ensemble.

Did you know? Abel is one of the Southbank Centre 2022/2023 Artists in Residence, Warner Music signed artist and Ambassador of Help Musicians UK. 

Find out more here.