While Overton was writing classical compositions, he was also deeply immersed in jazz, and recorded with such jazz notables as Stan Getz, Duke Jordan, Jimmy Raney and Teddy Charles. Thelonious Monk selected him to score his piano works for orchestra; a performance of these compositions in New York City was recorded live on February 28, 1959 and released on the album "The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall". In 1963, Monk recorded a second live album with orchestral arrangements by Overton at the New York Philharmonic Hall, released as "Big Band and Quartet in Concert".