Doc Cheatham was a jazz trumpet player. The papers contain photographs, autobiography, manuscript scores, audiotapes, clothing, and miscellaneous items.

Dizzy Gillespie was a jazz trumpeter, percussionist, pianist, and vocalist. This collection includes memorabilia that belonged to the artist.

Al Grey was a jazz trombonist and bandleader. Rosalie Soladar was his companion and personal manager. Materials in this collection span most of Grey's career after their partnership. The collection includes contracts and schedules of Al Grey's engagements, correspondence, arrangements, clothing, artifacts and ephemera, audiotape master recordings, and a trombone.

Lionel Hampton was a jazz vibraphonist, drummer, pianist, composer, and bandleader. The materials in this collection span most of his musical career. The collection includes personal papers and business records, photographs, musical compositions, audiotape master recordings (in a variety of formats), and six musical instruments, including a vibraphone.

Winning essay in the University of Idaho Watkins Medal for Oratory contest, 1898, written and presented by Jennie Eva Hughes.

Buddy Tate was a jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. The collection includes band books, performance suits, photographs, and ephemera.

Joe Williams was a jazz vocalist. The collection consists mainly of arrangements, with a few other materials.