Ivy Jo Hunter, born George Ivy Hunter on August 28, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, was an influential American R&B songwriter, record producer, and singer, best known for his work with Motown Records during the 1960s. Raised in Detroit, Hunter received training in orchestral music, focusing on trumpet and keyboards. After serving in the United States Army, he began performing as a singer in Detroit's proto-soul venues, where he befriended songwriter Hank Cosby. This friendship led to an introduction to Motown's first A&R man, William "Mickey" Stevenson, who collaborated with Hunter as a songwriter.

Hunter became a key figure in the Motown Records house band and contributed to the creation of some of the label's early hits. His songwriting credits include The Spinners' "Truly Yours" and "Sweet Thing," The Temptations' "Sorry Is a Sorry Word," The Isley Brothers' "Behind a Painted Smile" and "My Love Is Your Love (Forever)," as well as The Four Tops' "Ask the Lonely" and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever." He co-wrote the iconic Martha and the Vandellas hit "Dancing in the Street" with Marvin Gaye and Stevenson.

In addition to songwriting, Hunter also produced and wrote songs for various Motown artists, including The Velvelettes, The Contours, The Marvelettes, and Gladys Knight & the Pips. He produced Marvin Gaye's Top 40 hit "You" in 1968. Although he recorded extensively with Motown, his vocal work was largely unreleased until 1970, when the single "I Remember When (Dedicated to Beverly)" was issued on the VIP label. Another single, "I'd Still Love You," followed in 1971, but plans for an album titled "Ivy Jo is in this Bag" were shelved, leading to his departure from Motown.

In 1970, Hunter contributed to Funkadelic's debut album and co-produced a successful album for Wee Gee, former lead singer of The Dramatics. He remained active in the music industry and participated in Motown's 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2009. Ivy Jo Hunter passed away on October 6, 2022, at the age of 82.