Hot Tuna is an American blues-rock band formed by bassist Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen as a spin-off of Jefferson Airplane. It plays acoustic and electric versions of original and traditional blues songs. Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen were schoolboy friends together in Washington DC during the late fifties. Together with local musicians Ronnie McDonald and Warren Smith they formed The Triumphs who specialized in Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent covers. Kaukonen developed a finger picking guitar style from listening to blues and good time music.

He developed a particular taste for music by the Reverend Gary Davis. Casady came from a Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll background.

In the mid 1960's they were key members of Jefferson Airplane. During a lull in Airplane activities in late 1969 the two started playing low key dates around the bay area occasionally augmented by Airplane members Marty Balin and drummer Spencer Dryden.

The band, named Hot Tuna, was originally to be named Hot Sh*t but RCA nixed the idea. The band's repertoire at this time was firmly based in the Blues.

Tuna's first era came to a close in late 1977 with the live album Double Dose. By 1986 Tuna were back together this time including rhythm guitarist Michael Falzarano.