Pianist who played for the Motown Records studio band the Funk Brothers during the 1960s.
He stated that the works of Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, and Sergei Rachmaninov were paramount in his early musical education.
He played Motown piano on records for The Countours, The Miracles, and Martha & the Vandellas.
He died at the age of 79, leaving behind a daughter named Michelle, a son named Joe Jr., and three grandchildren.
His unique piano style influenced the musical development and career of Stevie Wonder.
