South African cellist Abel Selaocoe explores the capacity of the cello across a plethora of genres, from collaborating with beatboxers, world musicians to giving concerto performances and solo classical recitals. He is completed the International Artist Diploma course at RNCM studying under world-renowned cellist Hannah Roberts. Abel has worked as a soloist with numerous orchestras throughout South Africa. He has played a wide range of concerto repertoire with Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic, Johannesburg Philharmonic and Randburg Symphony Orchestra. He has recently played his Bridgewater Hall debut, one of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe, playing Tim Garland’s Cello and Saxophone Concerto. Abel performed the Schumann Cello Concerto with Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra and will premier Adam Gorb’s Cello concerto with The Great Britain National Youth Ensemble. He recently received a praising review from endnotes on his concerto debut at Cadogan Hall playing the Elgar Cello concerto, saying "not just a proficient player of the cello, but a virtuoso”.Abel gave a solo performance of Britten’s Cello Suite at the Westminster Abbey Cathedral as part of their St Cecelia Festival. Also improvising solo at Oxford Chamber Music Festival and O/mordent festival in Sweden. He has performed recitals as Standard Bank Young Artist and concerto with Cape town Philharmonic. He is interested in collaborating with musicians from other genres such as Tim Garland (jazz saxophonist in Chick Corea’s band) and Gwilym Simcock (pianist playing regularly with Pat Metheny). He has played with 12 ensemble at Montreux jazz festival working with Max Richter. He has played with Chineke! at the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall.
As an improviser Abel is the co-founder of BBC Introducing artists’ world-folk-fusion quintet Kabantu. Kabantu plays across the UK in many festivals such as Fishguard, Ulverston International Music Festivals, Aldeburgh Festival and the BBC Proms Late Night Concert at the Albert Hall broadcast on BBC Radio 3. They have played in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Sage Gateshead, Bridgewater Hall and Band on the Wall. Having recently released their debut album “of the people” they have received a 4 star review from the Guardian Newspaper describing their music as “immaculate”.
