Overton,
Hall (F.) (Bangor, MI, 23 Feb 1920 - New York, 24 Nov 1972)
Composer and pianist
He began composing while still in high school and later
studied at the Juilliard School
(1947-51) and took private lessons with Wallingford Riegger and Darius Milhaud.
While serving in the army (1942-5) he developed great skill as a jazz
improviser, and later played with such musicians as Stan Getz, Oscar Pettiford,
Teddy Charles, and Jimmy Raney. He also wrote arrangements for Thelonious
Monk's orchestra (The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall, 1959, Riverside
1138) and contributed articles to Down Beat and Jazz Today. His own music was
deeply influenced by jazz, but without his trying to make jazz
"respectable" through the unnatural imposition of classical forms or
materials.
Oliver
Daniel
The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, © Macmillan Reference Ltd
1988