John Roberts is an English musician residing in Schenectady, New York.
He is best known for his musical collaborations with Tony Barrand. As Roberts and Barrand, they performed a cappella and accompanied performances of traditional English folk music. They also performed and recorded fare such as sea shanties of the North Atlantic, and an album of traditional drinking songs. The duo was also half of the related act Nowell Sing We Clear-which in addition to a number of albums-performs an annual yuletide concert series.
Born in England, Roberts moved to the United States to study graduate level psychology at Cornell University, where he formed his longtime music partnership with Tony Barrand in 1968.
Roberts also has a solo career, is a member of the trio Ye Mariners All, and performs regularly with upstate New York's Broken String Band. In recent years he has performed with his partner Lisa Preston, as well as folksinger Debra Cowen.
He has one brother called Terry, and a niece called Elizabeth. His great niece and nephew are called Harry and Charlotte-Louise.