Tee-Mac, born of a Swiss father and Nigerian mother, is one of the five highest paid flutists in the world. He is also a businessman. Tee-Mac maintains homes in New York, Bangkok, London and Lagos.

How did it all begin, this idea of your going into classical music?

When I was six years old I had a favorite melody and it was called "A Little Night Music" by Mozart, and it goes like this: "Ta,Ta-Ta,Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta,Ta". I fell in love with that music. And I started to read about Mozart's life. Mozart was already a great performer at the age of five. Now I was six and I always wanted to play the flute. I asked my uncle who took care of me in Switzerland if I can have a flute. So at Christmas I got my first flute as a present. I love my flute so much I wouldn't even sleep without it. The flute will be in the case under my pillow. But at that time to learn how to play the flute there was no other way than to go through the classical training. It's not like today where you can go to Trinity College or the Barcley School of Jazz in America. You have to go to the classical education because that's the basic for music education. And I have since loved it and it's my favorite music - classical music.

Do you still have that flute now?

Unfortunately not. In 1971, on a trip from Lagos [Nigeria] to a concert in the University of Ife [Nigeria], my suitcase fell off the transport van and my clothes and the flute got lost. I had to come [turn?] back. Then the Director of Army music [in the Nigerian Army], Mr. Olu Obobokun, gave me a flute as a present because I was without a flute. When I returned in 1972 from Nigeria to England, I bought myself another good flute.

If someone were to return that flute now, how much could you offer for it?

I don't know. It'd be priceless to me. I have about six flutes at the moment, so I don't actually miss that flute. I have much better flutes now.

Based on your own life, how do you suggest parents determine, discover, and assist in developing the talents of their children?

I believe that music should be part of every child's education because it creates awareness, an appreciation and an understanding which will be lacking if the child did not grow up with music. Even if the child later on turns to jazz or pop music, the classical education is the main thing.

What were your most important interests when you were six to nine years old?

My grandfather on the Swiss side was a composer and Cellist by profession.

Who were your earliest heroes, models and mentors?

My greatest hero was always a gentleman called Jean Pierre RAMPAL. Rampal died last year at the age of 82; and when I was growing up I listened to every recording he ever did and I was so proud.

When I finished my music education I went for a master's class. And in the Academy there was Jean Pierre RAMPAL He was my teacher for the master's class. And I think he is the greatest flute player that has ever lived. He has recorded over 200 records. He has made himself a fortune of over 100 million dollars.

Can you think of a significant event that was central to shaping your life?

There had been many. Maybe the day my manager/producer KUNZE called me and told me that my album was No.1 in the American charts in 1974. The album was called Silver Convention 1. I couldn't believe that I was so lucky. That was one of my most important moments.

What does it take to be a world-class flutist? What specific skills, attitudes and habits does it involve?

It takes madness, it takes stubbornness, it takes... I don't know. It is you believing that you can, at some point in your life, you can master something, and through that master what you have been trying your whole life.

I believe in riches, a certain level of awareness which has to do with spirituality. It is when you dedicate your whole life to the perfection of something. You realize that may be you have a birth vision that you came to this earth to do something specific. And in my case I believe I came to play the flute, to give pleasure to the people around me.

In what ways do you do what you do more innovatively than other flutists?

I love jazz. I love improvising, and I love to play also pop music. I use my classical education to put our whatever is in my head. I am one of may be few flute players in the world at the moment who compose. I compose my own flute concertos. I wrote a classical ballet and working on a new symphony and a modern Opera called "HAUSARIA. So I'm very pleased at the part of being a performer and also a composer

Some people are motivated by love for what they do: others are motivated by money (or lack of it), fame, or the thrill of competition. What motivates you?

I'm motivated by a dream I had as a six-year-old. I said to myself (when I held my first flute in my hand), Tee-Mac, one day you'll be the greatest flute player on this earth. I have not achieved it yet, but I'm working towards it.

Can you perform free of charge?

I've performed hundreds of times especially at Jazzville [Lagos, Nigeria] every time free of charge.My compensation is the happiness of the listener.

In writing classical music, who is your target audience?

Classical music is a multi-billion dollar industry. And I will say [I write for] the intellectual, the well-educated, the middle class, the diplomats. Even the hip young people are into classical music. Anybody who grew up with classical music in his education will love classical music.

What's your composition routine like?

I have ideas at any time. I can sit down in my car and a melody comes into my head and I quickly note it down. I have a laptop (PC) with a very sophisticated composition programme in my suitcase. Wherever I am I can just take my laptop out and compose philharmonically on my laptop. I have the complete system in my bedroom in Nigeria, in Bangkok and in New York. So anywhere I am I can always sit down and compose.

How do you start your typical day?

I start my day with a big glass of water to give a little bit of liquid to my body. Then I exercise. Stomach exercise, push-ups, and exercises with weights for my chest. I go onto my bicycle in my bedroom for about 30-45 minutes. I have my bath, then eat breakfast and then I start working out on the flute. Depending on how busy I am I do one hour. This is my routine, how I start my day.

Do you have an ideal environment for creating? Say your sitting-room, your study, in the bath or even on the beach?

I'm happiest in nature. I can walk through a forest or sit on the beach and then the melodies just come, they just surround me after quick scoring down. If I'm under pressure I use to work the best. If I have a deadline to finish a film track in an album, then I work the best.

How important is a good memory, concentrative powers, clear thinking and a quick intuition in being a top-flight flutist?

A good memory is very important, for how else could you memorize about 24 concertos? One has to always train one's memory. One has to eat healthy and sleep well so that memory keeps up till old age.