About Us

Hot Air is a big band that lifted off from Uxbridge, Ontario in June of 1998. Led by Sheila-Marie Richardson, the group is a 17-piece big band with two vocalists. We perform a wide range of music covering big band jazz and swing, pop, as well as some rock and soul. Instrumentally, our band consists of five saxophonists, four trombonists, four trumpeters (one is also a vocalist!), a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, and a bassist. From Basie to Bublé, and everything in between – we’ve got you covered.

‘Hot Air’ has turned up the heat at weddings, corporate functions, parties, jazz festivals, gala fundraisers and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Venues have included golf and country clubs such as Wooden Sticks, Royal Ashburn, The Cardinal, Four Seasons and Sleepy Hollow, as well as Skyloft Ski and Country Club, The Hunt Club, The Royal Canadian Yacht Club and the Police Games at the Skydome. ‘Hot Air’ was also the headline band at the Pickering Village Jazz Festival for several years. We like to think that our success is due to our eclectic membership that spans the generations, a repertoire that appeals to all ages and the fact that we are always ‘blowing our own horns’ to expand our playlist.