Interview by William Chan
The Carmen Ip Trio, led by local drummer Carmen Ip Wai Man, performed last month at the Sifan Music and Arts Association as part of the Macau Jazz Upcomer Concert series.
The series aims to introduce local musicians – many of whom studied abroad and have returned to Macau – to a wider audience. Ip, who holds a diploma in jazz drums from the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy and is currently studying at the Conservatorium Maastricht in the Netherlands, spoke with the Post about her journey.
Ip’s decision to study jazz in the Netherlands grew out of her time in Beijing, where she noticed that many accomplished musicians she admired had trained in Europe. Their playing and understanding of music left a strong impression on her, and she began researching Dutch jazz education. She found the Netherlands to be an ideal choice outside of the United States. English is widely spoken, making daily life and study accessible, and the country attracts jazz musicians from around the world who perform, settle, and teach there. Tuition is also more affordable compared to the US, and the concentration of talent and live performances creates an environment where she can focus deeply on jazz while absorbing diverse musical cultures.
Describing her experience abroad as “unforgettable,” Ip underlined the openness and freedom of the European jazz scene, which differs from its American roots by embracing broader forms of expression. She has been exposed to music that extends beyond traditional jazz boundaries, which prompted her to question whether jazz needs to be confined to any single format. Beyond instrumental training, her studies include music production, recording, arranging, and unconventional ensembles such as Middle Eastern and free jazz groups. She also participated in the Keep an Eye Summer Jazz Workshop at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she worked with renowned artists including Immanuel Wilkins and Kendrick Scott. The experience reinforced a key lesson: the most accomplished musicians often remain the most humble and curious. Outside of music, the slower pace of Dutch life has given her more time to practise, reflect, and simply be present – something she values deeply.
Each time Ip returns to Macau, she is driven by a desire to build a platform for jazz in her hometown. While cities in the mainland and Hong Kong have growing jazz scenes with dedicated clubs and regular performances, she believes Macau still has significant room to grow. “I want to bring back what I’ve learnt and loved, not necessarily expecting audiences to ‘understand’ jazz, but hoping it becomes part of everyday entertainment – an alternative to dinner or a movie.” She also hopes to develop jazz education in Macau so future generations do not have to leave the city to access quality learning.
Her recent concert marked the first time she has led a full performance under her own name – a milestone after a decade of drumming, but also a beginning rather than an endpoint. She chose collaborators she knows and admires, players she had previously worked with in Zhuhai and Macau.
The repertoire leant towards groovy, modern jazz, including an original composition, “Sometimes Everything’s Like a Dream.” Written during her years in the Netherlands, the piece reflects on leaving behind the familiar and experiencing intense highs and lows in quick succession. “Looking back, it all feels dreamlike. The message for me is that whatever happens, be present in the moment.” For Ip, the concert was a chance to bring new sounds back to Macau and share the direction she is now pursuing – one that increasingly incorporates electronic elements and moves towards electronic and modern jazz as she works to develop her own voice.
Carmen Ip participates as a drummer in the Keep an Eye Summer Jazz Workshop, hosted by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, both last year and earlier this year.
Carmen Ip performs at Sifang Art Space last month. – Photos provided by Ip
