Michel Legrand (24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019) was a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and pianist. He was born Courbevoie, in present-day France.
Legrand was a well-known composer. He has written over 200 movie and television scores, as well as many memorable songs.
He was best known for his movie music, such as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). The Thomas Crown Affair featured the song "The Windmills of Your Mind". Legrand won his first Academy Award for this song. He would win another Academy Award in 1971 for Summer of '42.
Legrand died suddenly from sepsis after suffering from a lung infection in Paris on 26 January 2019 at the age of 86.
Influences
Legrand stated composers like Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Gil Evans, Django Reinhardt, Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Dave Brubeck, Earl Hines and Teddy Wilson as influences.