While, in one of his most famous songs (En haut de l'affiche), Charles Aznavour dreamt of seeing his name at the top of the bill, Michel Legrand has always had a more modest approach. Indeed, as a composer of film music, Legrand's name frequently appeared in small letters right at the bottom of the bill, overshadowed by giant pictures of movie stars. No matter, when you've written the soundtracks for French film classics such as Les Parapluies de Cherbourg and American hits like The Thomas Crown Affair, you don't need to be too worried about your name going down in history (wherever it came on the bill!)

Legrand's Second Home

Given music stars' huge egos - which, generally speaking, swell with age and fame - it's best to be wary of living legends' concert appearances, especially when they're performing abroad. (Although we have to admit, in Legrand's case, the American stage has become something of a second home). Playing away from home, foreign singers have to be wary too. The American music scene is notoriously difficult for 'foreigners' to break into. If you're a newcomer you have to play it modest and not expect more than your fair share of record sales and good reviews. And, if you're lucky enough to be a big star back at home, you should never make the mistake of thinking the States will be a walk-over! After all, the U.S. has one thing which it can be eternally proud of - and that's its status as the birthplace of jazz.

In spite of such difficulties, Legrand appears to have had little problem winning himself a place in American music fans' hearts. With his beautifully-crafted songs and his impeccable delivery, Legrand has earned a reputation as a "bulimic and perfectionist Frenchy". In short, the perfect passport for furthering a career in the States - which is superbly ironic, given that Legrand made no secret about hating the American way of life. (After living in the U.S. from 1966 to 1969, Legrand packed his bags for Europe, where he set up home in Switzerland).

"I Love Paris!"
Being the son of the famous French orchestra conductor Raymond Legrand obviously gave Michel a good start in life. And studying under Nadia Boulanger at the Conservatoire didn't hurt either! But it was Legrand's natural musical talent and his passion for jazz that were instrumental in launching his career. Legrand appeared to act as a magnet to other talent and he wasted no time in attracting the attention of some of the French music world's biggest stars. Starting out as a poorly-paid 'ambience' pianist, Legrand was quickly snapped up by Henri Salvador and, within a few years, the young pianist was accompanying other legendary French singers such as Maurice Chevalier. In fact, Chevalier appointed Legrand as his musical director and took him off to the States where, much to Legrand's surprise, he discovered he was already a major star in his own right.

Two years before touching down in America with Chevalier, Legrand had recorded an LP entitled I Love Paris, which had gone on to sell millions of copies in the States. Royalties from the album had never reached Legrand's pocket, however, and in an effort to right past wrongs, the record label Columbia contacted the young musician and said, "OK, tell us exactly what you want to record and with who and we'll foot the bill!" Michel Legrand was just 24 at the time and Miles Davis was already the King of Jazz, but the daring young Frenchy decided to try his luck and declared, "I want to make a jazz album with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Bill Evans, Hank Jones and Phil Woods!" Legrand got his way and ended up bringing out an album entitled Legrand Jazz. (Interestingly enough, while Legrand recorded his first album with Miles Davis, Davis recorded his final album - used as the soundtrack to the film Dingo - with Legrand).

Lights! Camera! Action!

After his American adventures, Legrand returned to France where he established himself as one of the leading film composers of the day, immortalising Catherine Deneuve in Les parapluies de Cherbourg and the techni-colour musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Almost half a century later, it seems fitting to point out that while France provided a second home for many American jazz greats, it also gave birth to its own geniuses.

When Legrand performed two special concerts in New York in October this year, American music fans returned the compliment, welcoming him as one of their own. Legrand had left nothing to chance on this occasion, sharing the stage with John Patitucci (on acoustic double bass) and Billy Drummond (on drums). For those who need reminding, Patitucci honed his musical talent playing with Chick Corea for ten years, while Drummond partnered Sonny Rollins.

Bringing the house down at the Florence Gould Hall and the Alliance Française in Manhattan, Michel Legrand proved he still had his inimitable touch. Paying tribute to his, largely American, audience by addressing them in faultless English, the French veteran confessed he felt "less of a foreigner" in their country these days. Renowned for not keeping a single record of his own at home, because he doesn't "believe in the past"" or "regrets of any kind", Legrand told fans he "wakes up a new man each morning" And, all we can say is, long may he go on doing so!

Michel Legrand, a boxed set of 3 CDs, has just been released on Mercury/Universal.