Joe Hunter (musician)

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Joe Hunter (born 1927 in Jackson, Tennessee, USA) is an African-American musician, known for his recording session work as a pianist in Motown Records' in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers. One of the original Funk Brothers, Hunter served as band director for the band from 1959 until 1964, when he left Motown and was replaced by Earl Van Dyke.

Though his time with the Funk Brothers was short, his unique style of piano playing was integral to the "Motown Sound" . Hunter left a lasting impression on future Motown session musicians, and arists such as Stevie Wonder. Currently in his seventies, Hunter still performs on a full-time basis throughout the metropolitan Detroit area.

Hunter's influences include Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Nat King Cole. Among the many records he performed the piano for are "Shop Around" by The Miracles, "Do You Love Me" by The Contours, and "(Love is Like a) Heat Wave" by Martha & the Vandellas.