Twenty five years and 50 plus recordings into his multi-faceted, ever-evolving musical career, John Tesh is finally ready to swing—not metaphorically as in the cliché ''for the fences,'' but literally. On his new Big Band collection and accompanying public television special distributed by APT titled ''John Tesh Big Band Live!'', the keyboardist fronts a full blown ensemble and horn section playing Great American Songbook classics. The projects mark an all-time first for the lifelong musician—letting his lead vocals shine front and center. For the four-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Grammy nominee, these projects are unique creative departures from his rich history as a composer and performer of ''sports music,'' new age, contemporary jazz and inspirational works. More importantly, and in a deeper sense, they mark a return to his musical roots. Tesh's highly successful and varied career path includes a 10-year run as anchor on Entertainment Tonight, six hit public television specials, including his landmark Live At Red Rocks in 1994, a string of #1 radio hits, his popular nationally syndicated radio show ''Intelligence For Your Life'' in which he has 14.5 million listeners. A self-proclaimed school ''band geek'' playing trumpet in marching and jazz bands in junior high and high school, Tesh was proficient on the horn and piano from the age of six. He studied with teachers from The Julliard School, and was named to the New York State Symphonic Orchestra in high school—while also playing organ in a rock band. Tesh got hooked on Hendrix and the Doors, but also has fond memories of his parents spinning Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Count Basie at parties in their Long Island home. Tesh and his touring ensemble will be performing music from John Tesh Big Band throughout the spring and summer 2012 in various venues across the U.S. ''The most interesting part of recording and performing music is that as an artist, you never know how people will use it or the diff