Born in New York City, Steve Reich emerged as a central figure in the avant-garde music scene during the 1960s. His early career was defined by his experimentation with tape loops and phase shifting, a technique where identical musical phrases are played at slightly different speeds to create evolving acoustic patterns.

Reich's compositions are characterized by their focus on gradual harmonic shifts and repetitive structures, a concept he articulated in his influential essay Music as a Gradual Process. His work often explores the intersection of live performance and electronic manipulation, emphasizing the listener's ability to perceive the structural development of the music in real time.

Throughout his career, Reich has remained a highly influential figure in contemporary classical music, with his compositions performed by major ensembles and orchestras worldwide. His work continues to be studied and presented in both musical and interdisciplinary art contexts, cementing his legacy as a primary architect of the minimalist movement.