My father had left behind an old piano. My sister was already going to school, my mother was out working, and I stayed at home alone with my adorable grandmother who understood nothing I said. It was so boring that I stayed at the piano all day long, and that saved my life.

He is a virtuoso jazz and classical pianist and an accompliMichel Legrandd arranger and conductor who performs with orchestras all over the world. After his songs appeared in Jacques Demy's films The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Young Girls of Rochefort (1966) Legrand became famous worldwide. Not as well received as his earlier work in the field of jazz was a 1994 album for LaserLight titled Michel Plays Legrand.

Legrand is a prolific composer having written over 200 film and television scores in addition to many memorable songs. He is best known for his often haunting film music and scores such as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) featuring the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" for which he won his first Academy Award.