John Gennari: In the Jazz Barn

John Gennari: In the Jazz Barn

Author: WPKN, Jim Motavalli January 19, 2026 Duration: 23:35

John Gennari's profusely illustrated book The Jazz Barn (Brandeis University Press) traces the history of a short-lived but vital institution in the history of music. Music Inn, in Lenox, Massachusetts near Tanglewood, took jazz seriously and brought musicians to a bucolic setting for teaching, concerts and building bridges to what eventually became the classical-jazz fusion known as Third Stream. With many photographs by Holocaust survivor Clemens Kalischer.


Tune into The Jim Motavalli Interview Podcast for a deep and engaging archive of conversations pulled from the airwaves of WPKN. Hosted by Jim Motavalli, this series moves beyond simple Q&A, offering a curated space where the voices of artists and influential figures from various fields are given room to breathe and reflect. You'll hear a compelling mix of recent discussions and carefully selected archival material, each episode serving as a time capsule of creative thought and cultural insight. The focus here is on genuine dialogue, whether Jim is speaking with a musician about their process or a thinker about their work, capturing the stories of movers and shakers in their own words. This podcast thrives on the depth and authenticity of these encounters, building a library of interviews that feel both immediate and timeless. Listen for thoughtful, meandering conversations that often uncover unexpected connections and personal histories, all guided by Jim's experienced and curious approach. It's a collection built for anyone interested in the people behind the art and the ideas that shape our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 47

The Jim Motavalli Interview Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Krissy Nagy and the Kranks Celebrate the Jazz Standards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:50
Krissie Nagy is a major new new discovery in jazz singing, making the Great American Songbook come alive with verve and panache. Her self-titled album as Krissie and the Kranks is out now.
Singer-Songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs Talks "Avalanche" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
The Maine-based singer-songwriter, most famous for asking, "What was I thinking?" talks about her album "Avalanche," her new book, and her hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast.
Author Graeme Thomson on the Engigmatic Kate Bush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:49
British author Graeme Thomson talks about the flamboyant but also press-shy superstar Kate Bush, the subject of the recent update of his incisive biography of her.
Billy Harper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:20
Billy Harper is a impassioned progressive jazz saxophonist. He is "one of a generation of Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists" with a distinctively stern, hard-as-nails sound on his instrument. He was interviewed by J…