Redefining the parameters of the cello, he moves seamlessly across a plethora of genres and styles, from collaborations with world and jazz musicians, to concertos and solo performances. Selaocoe combines virtuosic performance with improvisation, singing and body percussion, and is devoted to composing works and curating programmes that highlight the links between Western and non-Western musical traditions, broadening the horizons of classical music to reach a more diverse audience. In 2023 he was awarded the RPS Instrumentalist Award for his performances and collaborations which "blaze with creation, sending audiences home on a high".

Selaocoe thrives in exploratory settings, developing new projects with contemporaries, and enjoys close collaborations with musicians from a medley of genres, including Bernhard Schimpelsberger, Seckou Keita, Manchester Collective, Giovanni Sollima and Dudù Kouaté. In 2016, Selaocoe formed Chesaba – a trio specialising in music from the African continent, including many of his own compositions – and in 2022 formed the Bantu Ensemble who perform his music widely.

In February 2025, Selaocoe released his anticipated second album on Warner Classics Hymns of Bantu, following his critically acclaimed debut Where Is Home (Hae ke Kae). This was closely followed by the release in August 2025 of a recording of Selaocoe’s solo cello concerto Four Spirits. This was recorded live with Aurora Orchestra at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, after being performed extensively internationally with orchestras such as Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Selaocoe is Artistic Partner of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, performing with them several times throughout the season. In 2025/2026, Selaocoe embarks on an international solo recital tour with a programme including several new commissions, including a new work written by Selaocoe in collaboration with Michel van der Aa and a new work by Ben Nobuto. These works will receive their World Premieres at Princeton University Concerts in September 2025 and will continue to venues including Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Kölner Philharmonie, KOKO London, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam and the Boulez Saal in Berlin.

Selaocoe will tour both the UK and Europe with his Bantu Ensemble this season, following their hugely successful debut performance at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025. He will make his debut with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin as their Artist in Focus, premiering a new commission by Jessie Montgomery, which will then be performed extensively around the world, including with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Brussels Philharmonic, with further important premieres to be announced in due course. November 2025 will see the World Premiere of Toro Tsa Kwa, a work written by Selaocoe for Gautier Capucon, commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Selaocoe plays a copy of a circa 1735 Montagnana, made by Robin Aitchison in 2020 with the generous support of the Alan Powell Trust.

Abel Selaocoe is an exclusive recording artist with Warner Classics.

Website Abel Selaocoe: click here!

fast forward classical represents Abel Selaocoe in Germany, Austria and Poland.

In cooperation with Lucy Saunders and Maebh Lehane/ intermusica