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John Schaefer

Host

John Schaefer

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John Schaefer (Marco Antonio)

John Schaefer has hosted Soundcheck since the show’s inception in 2002. He has also hosted and produced WNYC’s radio series New Sounds since 1982 (“The No. 1 radio show for the Global Village” – Billboard) and the New Sounds Live concert series since 1986.

John has written extensively about music, including the book New Sounds: A Listener’s Guide to New Music (Harper & Row, NY, 1987; Virgin Books, London, 1990); The Cambridge Companion to Singing: World Music (Cambridge University Press, U.K., 2000); and the TV program Bravo Profile: Bobby McFerrin (Bravo Television, 2003). He was contributing editor for Spin and Ear magazines, and his liner notes appear on more than 100 recordings, ranging from “The Music of Cambodia” to recordings by Yo-Yo Ma and Terry Riley.

In 2003, Schaefer was honored with the American Music Center's prestigious Letter of Distinction for his "substantial contributions to advancing the field of contemporary American music in the United States and abroad." In May 2006, New York magazine cited Schaefer as one of "the people whose ideas, power, and sheer will are changing New York" in its Influentials issue. He began blogging for WNYC when accompanying the New York Philharmonic on its historic (and apparently very weird) trip to North Korea in 2008 and continues to blog at soundcheck.org.

He is a regular contributor to the World Science Festival and the White Light Festival at Lincoln Center; he has also written about horse racing (Bloodlines: A Horse Racing Anthology, Vintage NY 2006) and was a regular panelist on the BBC’s soccer-based program Sports World.

Shows:

John Schaefer appears in the following:

070 Shake

Weekly Music Roundup: The National, 070 Shake, and Roberto Fonseca

Monday, September 25, 2023

New Sounds

The National surprises; a gothic turn for rapper 070 Shake; and Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca. Plus, David Cieri’s new score to an old film, and lap-tapping guitarist Yasmin Williams.

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MItski

Weekly Music Roundup: Nas, Mitski, and Sufjan Stevens

Monday, September 18, 2023

This week, Nas turns 50; Mitski finds love in an inhospitable land; Sufjan Stevens wonders if he’ll find love anywhere.

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Weekly Music Roundup: The Rolling Stones, Yungchen Lhamo, and Allison Russell

Monday, September 11, 2023

New Sounds

The Stones, still rolling; Yungchen Lhamo’s global prayer for kindness; Allison Russell confronts her demons; and sax player James Brandon Lewis's tribute to Mahalia Jackson.

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Speedy Ortiz

Weekly Music Roundup: Speedy Ortiz, Omar Apollo, Nicki Minaj

Monday, September 04, 2023

New Sounds

This week, winter memories from Omar Apollo, returns for Speedy Ortiz and Beirut, and a change of pace from Nicki Minaj.

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Mon Laferte

Weekly Music Roundup: Mon Laferte, jaimie branch, and Say She She

Monday, August 28, 2023

New Sounds

This week, Prince through the looking glass, Mon Laferte’s trip-hop bolero, and a posthumous stunner from trumpeter jaimie branch. Plus new discodelica from Say She She, and more.

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Weekly Music Roundup: Dolly Parton, Polo G., and Black Market Brass

Monday, August 21, 2023

New Sounds

This week: Dolly Parton, rock star; Polo G’s moving ballad; and Amore Muere’s dark debut. Plus, ambient pop by Vines (Cassie Wieland) and Afropop-leaning music by Black Market Brass.

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Weekly Music Roundup: Dessa, Joshua Redman, and Mary Lattimore

Monday, August 07, 2023

This week, Dessa dances while the world burns; Lily & Madeleine offer sibling harmony; Joshua Redman’s musical travelogue begins in Baltimore. Also, Mary Lattimore and Mance Lipscomb.

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Beverly-Glenn Copeland

Weekly Music Roundup: Bobby Rush, Too Sad for The Public, and Beverly Glenn-Copeland

Monday, July 31, 2023

Bobby Rush’s classic blues, Chief Adjuah’s new/old take on New Orleans and West African music, and an anthem from Beverly Glenn-Copeland.

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Sofia Rei and Jorge Roeder

Weekly Music Roundup: Big Thief, Blur, Sofía Rei And Jorge Roeder

Monday, July 24, 2023

New Sounds

The 90s return with Blur and Slowdive; the release of a live show favorite by Big Thief; an imaginary film score by Shakey Graves; and a thrilling duet from Sofía Rei and Jorge Roeder.

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Billie Eilish

Weekly Music Roundup: Billie Eilish, Erick The Architect, and Explosions In The Sky

Monday, July 17, 2023

New Sounds

Billie Eilish’s “Barbie” song, Ladaniva’s almost Balkan track, and Erick the Architect’s collaboration with James Blake. Plus, Andrew Bird, A. Savage, Explosions In The Sky, and CMAT.

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Big Freedia

Weekly Music Roundup: Big Freedia, Elisapie, and Wye Oak

Monday, June 26, 2023

New Sounds

This week, a NOLA party with Big Freedia, celebrations of Indigenous culture from Elisapie and Saltwater Hank, and new singles from Palace and Wye Oak.

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PJ Harvey

Weekly Music Roundup: PJ Harvey, Shamir, and Bokante

Monday, June 12, 2023

New Sounds

This week, an enigmatic song from PJ Harvey, a blast of pop from Shamir, and the global fusion of Bokanté. Plus, warm, homespun songs from This Is The Kit.

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Bob Sherman (left) and John Schaefer (right)

A Seat in the Listening Room: John Schaefer Reflects on Bob Sherman’s Legacy

Monday, June 05, 2023

By John Schaefer : Host

“Bob’s knack for pulling back the curtain and revealing the people who made the music was incredibly important for me as an aspiring college radio DJ.”

Silvana Estrada

Weekly Music Roundup: Silvana Estrada, Ben Harper, and Mari Kalkun

Monday, June 05, 2023

New Sounds

This week, the play of light and dark in songs by Silvana Estrada, Lanterns On The Lake, and Ben Harper. And a dark debut from soccer legend Eric Cantona.

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Anjimile, The King

Weekly Music Roundup: Anjimile, Sylvan Esso, and Jeremy Dutcher

Monday, May 29, 2023

New Sounds

This week, returns for songwriter Anjimile and Canadian singer/pianist Jeremy Dutcher; a tribute to Low by Sylvan Esso; and emotive dance music from Bayonne.

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Anohni of ANOHNI and THE JOHNSONS

Weekly Music Roundup: Paul Simon's Psalms, Anohni, and June McDoom

Monday, May 22, 2023

New Sounds

This week, Paul Simon’s psalms, Anohni’s prayer for understanding, and Gershwin’s inadvertent surfing safari. Plus songs by June McDoom and Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood.

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Yasser Tejeda

Weekly Music Roundup: Yasser Tejeda, Christine and the Queens, Speakers Corner Quartet

Monday, May 15, 2023

New Sounds

An Afro-Caribbean premiere by Yasser Tejeda; an Indo-chamber-bluegrass work by Bela Fleck et al; and a new song from Christine & The Queens. Plus, South London's Speakers Corner Quartet.

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Meshell Ndegeocello

Weekly Music Roundup: Meshell Ndegeocello, Ed Sheeran, Avishai Cohen & Abe Rodriguez

Monday, May 08, 2023

New Sounds

Ed Sheeran’s sonic surprise; cosmic R&B from Meshell Ndegeocello; and a new Afro-Latin jazz sound from Avishai Cohen and Abe Rodriguez. Plus songs by Danielle Ponder and Peter Gabriel.

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Monsieur Periné

Weekly Music Roundup: Monsieur Periné, The God In Hackney, and Goldfeather

Monday, May 01, 2023

New Sounds

This week, things get weird in songs by The God In Hackney and Goldfeather, and a half century of dance moves from Alex Anwandter and Monsieur Perine. Plus, a Doc Watson tribute album.

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A man in a sound-proofed room holding a large microphone

In '32 Sounds,' NYC filmmaker Sam Green explores how what we hear shapes how we feel

Friday, April 28, 2023

Sam Green's newest immersive documentary, now playing at Film Forum, breaks the conventional rules in exploring how we perceive, process and feel the world around us through sound.

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