Playback
- Place of Publication: New Orleans, LA
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1949-1952
- Periodicity: Generally monthly, 1949; irregular, 1950-1952
- Editor: Orin Blackstone
- Publishers: Orin Blackstone
- Numeration Irregularities: Vol. 4 begins with no. 27.
- Type: Full Text
- Preceded by: Jazzfinder
Previously titled Jazzfinder, Playback was described on the cover page as “The International Magazine of Jazz.” Continuing the wide scope established under the previous journal title, editor Orin Blackstone formalized the international character to Playback through the establishment of international representatives in nineteen countries in Europe, South America, and South Africa. In principle, the structure of each issue remained unchanged, with lists of new and historic records accompanied by research articles, but the introduction of articles on jazz in various countries set Playback apart from many other contemporaneous publications. In some cases, these international contributions consist of summaries of activities and listings and discussions of record recordings, in other cases, research on historic recordings, largely unavailable in the United States.