ProJazz.net

"Almost Blue" is a melancholic jazz ballad famously performed by American trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker. While Baker's rendition is iconic, the song was originally written by Elvis Costello for his 1982 album Imperial Bedroom.

Personnel:

Chet Baker - Vocals, Trumpet

Harold Danko - Piano

Hein Van Der Geyn - Bass

John Engels - Drums

Key Facts About Chet Baker's "Almost Blue"

• Origin and Inspiration: Elvis Costello wrote the song specifically in the style of Baker after being inspired by Baker's 1954 recording of "The Thrill Is Gone". Baker eventually recorded it in 1987, completing what many critics call a "full-circle moment".

• Famous Recordings:

o Studio: Recorded in 1987 for the soundtrack of the documentary film Let’s Get Lost (1988), which chronicles Baker's life.

o Live: A highly acclaimed live version appears on the posthumous album Chet Baker in Tokyo, recorded on June 14, 1987, less than a year before his death.

• Musical Style: The song is noted for Baker’s "fragile" and "intimate" vocal delivery and a mournful trumpet solo. In 2026, it remains one of his most popular and frequently streamed tracks.

2026 Context

As of early 2026, Chet Baker’s version continues to be celebrated as a "standard" of the genre. In 2025, archival projects such as Let’s Get Lost: Swimming By Moonlight and special 12-inch vinyl reissues for Record Store Day have kept his final recordings, including live versions of "Almost Blue," in high demand among audiophiles and jazz enthusiasts.