John Tesh Will Release Epic Christmas Album
The holiday collection featuring a 60-piece orchestra is set to debut on all major streaming platforms this October.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Holiday Music
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Musician John Tesh will release his new holiday album, Epic Christmas, on October 16, 2026. The record blends orchestral arrangements with 1980s-era synthesizer sounds.
Why it matters
The project serves as a follow-up to the creative shift Tesh experienced while re-recording his iconic composition, Roundball Rock, with a full orchestra in 2024.
Tesh has previously released 50 recordings throughout his career, earning four Gold albums in the process. The upcoming project utilizes a 60-piece orchestra alongside an Emulator 2, Moog, and PPG Wave synthesizer.
The players
John Tesh
John Tesh is an American musician and radio host known for his extensive catalog of music and his long-running national radio show.
The details
Produced at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, the album features a rock-jazz band and a full orchestra performing classic holiday songs like Carol of the Bells and Deck the Halls. Collaborators on the project integrated vintage 1980s synthesizer textures and adjusted time signatures to create a new sonic landscape.
Timeline
Tesh re-recorded Roundball Rock with a full orchestra in 2024.
The album Epic Christmas is scheduled for release on October 16, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The album highlights a growing industry trend of blending traditional orchestral scores with vintage electronic instrumentation. This creative pivot positions Tesh within the niche market of nostalgia-driven production that contrasts with modern, software-only music composition.
Fans will be able to access the new music across all major digital streaming platforms starting October 16, 2026. No physical media or concert tour dates have been announced alongside the streaming release.
The takeaway
Tesh demonstrates how artists can modernize traditional holiday standards by repurposing vintage hardware and orchestral arrangements. Listeners can anticipate a unique auditory experience that reconciles 1980s electronic sounds with classical music structures.
Further reading
Explore more seasonal releases in our Holiday Music section.
More information
For more updates on the upcoming album, visit the John Tesh official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
Live Poll
Do you prefer traditional holiday music arrangements over experimental or cinematic re-imaginings?
