Joe Hunter (musician)

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Joseph Edward Hunter (November 19, 1927 – February 2, 2007) was 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. He is a native of Jackson, Tennessee, USA.

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 artists such as Stevie Wonder.

He is not to be confused with Texas pianist Ivory Joe Hunter, who died in 1974.

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.

Joe Hunter died on February 2, 2007, at the age of 79. He was a full-time musician in the Detroit area at the time of his death. [1]

[edit] References

• Justman, Paul (Director). (2002) Standing in the Shadows of Motown [Motion picture]. New York: Artisan Entertainment.
• Obituary, The Guardian, 6 February 2007.
• Obituary, The Times, 13 February 2007.