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Prolific French composer, conductor, arranger, and jazz pianist, renowned for his evocative film scores and sophisticated jazz compositions. Born in Paris, Legrand studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He gained international fame for his film scores, winning three Academy Awards (for 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg', 'Summer of '42', and 'Yentl') and five Grammy Awards. He composed over 200 film and television scores, alongside numerous jazz albums, collaborating with legends like Miles Davis, Stan Getz, and Frank Sinatra. He was celebrated for his lush orchestration, memorable melodies, and versatility across classical, jazz, and popular music.

• Legrand achieved remarkable crossover success: his 1958 jazz album "Legrand Jazz" featured American icons Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans.
• Despite his immense success in Hollywood, Legrand often insisted on composing his scores in France, requiring producers to fly orchestras to Paris for recording sessions.
• He was intensely competitive, reportedly demanding clauses in contracts preventing directors from hiring other top composers (like John Williams or Henry Mancini) for sequels to films he scored.
• Legrand won an Oscar for Best Original Song ("The Windmills of Your Mind") from the film "The Thomas Crown Affair," performed by Noel Harrison.
• He died in Paris at 86 due to complications from sepsis, following a leg infection.