Abel Selaocoe: Tiny Desk Concert

Tom Huizenga | March 3, 2025
Abel Selaocoe arrived early for his Tiny Desk performance so he could pop into a studio to talk with NPR’s Morning Edition. That’s where the versatile South African cellist and vocalist told the touching story of how he first got the hang of his instrument. Unable to afford a real cello, Selaocoe drew the strings of the instrument on paper, then pasted it to his chest to practice the fingerings.

These days, he tours the world offering his singular synthesis of global, jazz and classical sounds, always remembering his roots, even when collaborating with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma.

Selaocoe’s adroit bowing and percussive fingering gives the cello a vast color palette, with sounds of flutes and drums. His vocalizing, mostly in the Sesotho language, includes a kind of gravelly throat singing in which two or more pitches are produced, heard in the opening song which he dedicates to mothers and strong women who “[hold] the knife on the sharp side.”

French baroque meets contemporary South Africa in “Les Voix Humaines/Tsohle Tsohle,” where Selaocoe braids music by Marin Marais around tender singing. And he closes with an improvisation, noting that he prefers “people who don’t write the script and re-read it again.” The tune begins in a flurry of bowed arpeggios, like white caps on the lake, and evolves into plucked strings with metal clips attached, reminiscent of thumb pianos.

Selaocoe has indeed written his own distinctive “script.” In classical music, there are those who follow age-old traditions — and that’s just fine. But then there are those, like Selaocoe, who create brand-new traditions.

SET LIST
“Ka Bohaleng”
Marin Marais/Selaocoe: “Les Voix Humaines/Tsohle Tsohle”
“Dinaka”

MUSICIANS
Abel Selaocoe: cello, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Tom Huizenga
Director: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Video Editor: Kara Frame
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Newell
Production Assistant: Dora Levite
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Lars Gotrich, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#tinydesk #nprmusic #abelselaocoe

[denisemenchaca]

This performance is my introduction to Abel Selaocoe. He is truly a master of self-expression through his music.

[fanthomans]

I see a cello, I click. It's that simple.

[anuyagi]

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR TWO YEARS! Our toddler daughter is obsessed with both Tiny Desk and Abel. His music has helped us get through some rough times following the Lahaina fires. grateful to finally see him on Tiny Desk.

[fnangh]

Abel made it to Tiny Desk ❤ happy to see him here. He's exceptional, I went to 4 concerts already and never plan to stop 😊

[ebop]

Yo! That's my bro Abel ❤️ been making my mom cry with this beautiful music since I was a lil kid in high school. Growing up with this dude was one of the biggest privileges I ever had

[lbec]

Today I learned that Mongolia is not the only culture with throat singing!

[kgaremotsamai]

As a Motswana, i can appreciate how he incorporates Sesotho into his music 🥹🥹

[福多Kosquito]

Brilliant...JUST brilliant!
As a Japanese, I felt a mysterious divinity in him, as if being guided by the Buddha.

[michaelfoxbrass]

He’s a powerhouse - uniquely expanding horizons for Cello, Multiphonic Singing, and South African music.

[loganschmidt]

As a cellist, I feel so inspired after experiencing this performance! Bravo!

[andydonham]

Most original artist you've had on a while. Absolutely outstanding.

[lucwijngaard]

These are the types of artists we need to see more of on this channel! What a discovery!

[poptemporanea]

He was a hidden gem to me. Thanks Tiny Desk

[sabelomthembumusic]

What a genius. What a breath of fresh air. Thank you Tiny Desk for bringing this amazing musician to your show. Proudly South African

[Luke_Mile]

NEVER HEAR AN ARTIST LIKE YOU. NEVER. thank you for what you are doing.
You are a great musician...
sometimes you think certain instruments can be played in one direction... And never paired with voice... It's not true.. and your exhibition urge me to put my limit a bit beyond... I'm studying piano and your passion and performance helped me to continue give my best to achieve my target.
Thank you❤

[gyre_sa]

Omg he was my matric in high school in the boarding house. It’s been 17 years but that’s reason enough to tell people he’s my brother 😂😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️ Jokes. Love to see you winning Abel ❤️

[ElixifyMusic]

I feel Abel raising the level of DIVINITY in our world with his truly unique sonic gifts. . . Blessings. . .

[luksreactions]

Show casing our best wonderful performance❤❤

[Istandalone]

Sesotho to the world 🇱🇸❤
Watching from Lesotho

[jacksonianc]

Such a stunning performance. I have never heard anyone play the cello like this—even more, to sing and perform in such an active accompaniment. Beautiful!