Phil Unger leans back at his workbench-desk in the Flute Center of New York.
“Hey, Jimmy! Where are you?”
“I’m in Paris now,” says the Irish voice on the speakerphone. “Did you get my card from Israel?”

Nurturing relationships with flutists around the world is part of Unger’s job, and he’s kept in close touch with his friend “Jimmy” (Sir James Galway) for over 20 years.

A master player can coax creamy tones to pour like liquid gold from a flute. But a wonky key or a pad that fails to completely seal a tone hole can spoil a Midas touch. That’s where Unger comes in. Although he’s only an amateur player, the world comes to him for his skill on the flute – as a repairer, that is. He has a nerdy flair for the mechanical and a reverence for beautiful objects, but he’s also a people person who enjoys being the nexus for artists and manufacturers.

The little shop above the Starbucks at Columbus Circle is at the heart of New York’s jazz, Broadway and classical music worlds. After nearly 30 years in the business, Unger, 53, has made a name for himself. Musicians drop by when they are in New York or ship their instruments to him, whether for major repairs or just a routine “COA [clean, oil and adjust].”

Unger is a jovial, mustached fellow whose waistline betrays a love of good food and drink. He also enjoys good company and good music — classical and jazz, as well as classic rock. Fortunately he can indulge his passions for things mechanical, musical, social and epicurean on the job.

“This is kind of a gathering place of flutists,” he says, “There will be a flutist from South America, another from Europe. They’ll know each other by reputation or name.” Suddenly a fusion jam session reverberates through the shop.

“I can’t tell you how many times Galway has been here and a student comes walking in and they can’t believe their idol is here in the room with them. And he’s very gracious. I’ve even had people come in [when] he’s here and he’ll give them their very first lesson right here in the shop.”

In the next issue: the Flute Center of New York’s large inventory, why some professionals will spend $40,000 (U.S.) on a flute and Unger’s personal collection of rare flutes.

Flute Center of New York, 1841 Broadway, Suite 1106, New York, NY 10023, USA Phone: 1-212-307-9737, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Web: www.flutes4sale.com

Phil Unger (center) with Stefan Hoskuldsson (Principal Flute, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and Walter Auer (Principal Flute, Vienna Philharmonic)

Right: James Galway and Phil, Also Stefan, and Phil’s good friend Maurizia Dalla Volta (flutist in Paris) and Hadar Noiberg(Israeli flutist here in NYC). Photos by John Wessel. Laurent

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Judith Herman is a writer and artist based in Southern California. Her articles and essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Verbatim, Underwired and other publications.