John Schaefer is a radio host and author. As a radio host he has been with WNYC for many years. He is also the author of New Sounds: A Listener's Guide to New Music.
He is the host of culture and talk show Soundcheck, which is broadcast on Radio WNYC, as well as the radio program New Sounds. He has produced New Sounds since 1982 and Soundcheck from when its start in 2002.
In addition to his book, New Sounds: A Listener's Guide to New Music, he contributed to The Cambridge Companion to Singing.
He had composer Steve Reich as a guest on his Soundcheck show in 2009.
He has written liner notes for more than 100 albums, including for Yo-Yo Ma and Terry Riley. He is also one of the compilation producers on the various artists Invocation album.