Joseph Edward Hunter (November 19, 1927 – February 2, 2007) 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 for the band from 1959 until 1964, when he left Motown and was replaced by Earl Van Dyke. He is not to be confused with the Texan pianist Ivory Joe Hunter, who died in 1974; nor with the Motown producer and songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter.