The David Basse Collection was a gift to the University Libraries from David Basse in January 2010. Materials date from 1954-2010, with the bulk of materials ranging from 1990-2009. The collection includes items mostly related to Basse’s musical career, but also contains some personal ephemera. The jewel of the collection lies within the plethora of photographic images which document Basse’s musical career, dating back to the early 1970s. Also noteworthy are the numerous posters which document the evolution of Basse’s talents.

In August 2010 and August 2011 and March 2014, Basse donated additional materials including his personal music manuscripts, as well as works for stage and show books, to enhance the existing collection. Also included are more correspondence, contracts, photographs and promotional ephemera. Various copies of JAM magazine were catalogued and incorporated into the department’s periodical collection. One shining star that accompanied the additional materials is the correspondence with Nan Hill, a Lawrence, Kansas, dynamo with unfettered knowledge of the blues and jazz world. She was a staunch listener of Kansas Public Radio where David Basse served as disc jockey. She would compose her letters as she listened to Basse’s show and critique his programs as she felt she needed to. This jazz aficionada took her job as Basse’s appointed co-pilot seriously. To read the thoughts she has penned to paper is to be drawn into her world and experience only what she could.

The audiovisual materials consist primarily of audio recordings of David Basse's studio sessions, and live performances, including performances with the City Light Orchestra.