Joseph Edward Hunter (November 19, 1927 – February 2, 2007)[1] was an American musician and keyboardist, known for his recording session work with Motown Records' in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers. One of the original Funk Brothers, Hunter served as band director from 1959 until 1964, when he left Motown and was replaced by Earl Van Dyke.[2]
Hunter was born in Jackson, Tennessee, to Vada Idona Hunter and John G. Hunter.[3] His mother was a piano teacher and he started playing piano at an early age. At age 11, the family moved to Detroit.[1] He was drafted into the army where he played in the jazz band alongside pianist Dwike Mitchell and drummer Elvin Jones. Hunter was influenced by the music of Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Nat King Cole. After the service, he performed in Detroit jazz clubs and toured with The Midnighters.[1][3][4]
He left Motown in 1964 and pursued a career as a freelance arranger and musician. Although his time with Motown and Funk Brothers was short, his keyboard playing was integral to the "Motown Sound". He left a lasting impression on future Motown session musicians and artists such as Stevie Wonder.[2][6]
In 1996 he authored an autobiography titled Musicians, Motown, and Myself: The Dawn of a New Sound.[3] In 2002 the Funk Brothers, including Hunter, were featured in the documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. The film highlighted the contribution of Motown's session musicians to the label's success and musical output. The soundtrack of the film won two Grammys and the Funk Brothers received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2004. From 2002 to 2007 several of the surviving Funk Brothers, including Hunter, toured as a musical group.[1][5]
In his later years, Hunter continued to perform as a musician in the Detroit area.[2] He died of natural causes on February 2, 2007, at the age of 79.[6][5] He was survived by his son Joe Hunter Jr., his daughter and grandchildren.[1][6]
