Abel Selaocoe & The Bantu Ensemble

Manchester-based South African cellist Abel Selaocoe is a rapidly rising star who is redefining the parameters of the cello.

The RNCM alumnus and Honorary Associate Artist moves seamlessly across a plethora of genres and styles, from collaborations with world musicians and beatboxers, to concertos and solo performances.

Moving effortlessly between the most divergent genres, Abel is regarded as one of the most captivating performers on the world stage today. His performances are electric: rooted in tradition yet fuelled by fearless innovation.

With his Manchester-formed Bantu Ensemble, Abel ignites the stage with a genre-defying fusion of virtuosic cello, soaring vocals, and improvisation.

Together, they blur boundaries between African heritage and Western classical music and create something entirely their own, interpretting traditional Bantu music alongside compositions by Bach and Marais, highlighting the continuity between musical legacies rather than their differences.

Abel regularly performs as part of his trio Chesaba and his quartet The Bantu Ensemble, as well as alongside a 15-piece chamber orchestra or with the Manchester Collective.