The papers contain materials related to Billy Taylor's life and career, including music manuscripts; correspondence; writings by and about Taylor; business, financial, and legal papers; programs; scripts; promotional and publicity materials; photographs; clippings; scrapbooks; and awards, citations, plaques, and certificates. The Music series chiefly consists of manuscript scores, lead sheets, and parts, by Taylor and other jazz composers and arrangers. In addition to Taylor's original compositions, there are arrangements of Taylor's works by Oliver Nelson, Frank Wess, Manny Albam, Arif Mardin, Luther Henderson, and other prominent jazz musicians. There are also items from Taylor's stint as music director for the David Frost show, photo-reproductions of jazz standards that Taylor used for Jazzmobile, and works co-written with wife Teddi Castion. The music materials also contain original or photo-reproduced manuscripts for music by various composers in the hand of the composer/arranger, Taylor, or unspecified individuals. The Writings series contains articles, lectures, and public statements by Taylor, in addition to drafts of his dissertation The history and development of jazz piano, and his published works. There are also writings about Billy Taylor, such as reviews, interviews and publicity materials. Miscellaneous writings include articles on jazz musicians, publications from various projects and programs, reports, research papers, surveys, stage and screen works, and proposals.The Business Papers series contains administrative papers from numerous cultural organizations and programs with which Taylor associated, including Jazzmobile and the Kennedy Center. These materials include correspondence, contracts, memos, minutes and agendas, legal and financial documents, and printed matter. The Professional Papers series reflects Taylor's various professional pursuits and includes such materials as date books, itineraries, programs, promotional material, announcements, brochures, flyers, and schedules. The interview cue sheets, transcripts, and scripts document interviews with dozens of musical and cultural figures, particularly from the world of jazz. Many of the cue sheets and transcripts are from Taylor's stints as cultural correspondent for the television program CBS news Sunday morning and host of the series Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Center. The Printed Matter series contains newsletters, press kits, press releases, programs, and other publications that Taylor personally collected. The Photographs series includes posed publicity shots of Billy Taylor, candid shots of Taylor in performance both alone and with his trio, and Taylor with various musicians and music ensembles. In addition, there are photographs that depict Taylor's activities, such as coaching, lecturing, teaching, getting involved in community activism, and working as a disc jockey. There are also photographs and snapshots of Taylor and his family, including his wife Teddi, and shots of Taylor at special events and ceremonies and with public figures and famous personalities. The Realia series contains the numerous awards, citations and plaques that Taylor received throughout his career. It iincludes the National Medal of Arts; honorary degrees from dozens of universities and colleges; certificates of appreciation from cities, states, schools, and organizations; fraternity and alumni awards; commemorative stamps; and letters of commendation. The Personal Papers series contains materials relating to Taylor's education, including documents related to Taylor's doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, financial and legal papers, and personal correspondence that includes invitations to special events.