Harry Connick Jr. is, of course, synonymous with the classic soundtrack of When Harry Met Sally, although the singer-actor himself has said on more than a few occasions that this was far from a random experience. This all occurred after one of those 'surprise calls on the telephone that would change the course of his life.' Harry Connick was 21 when this happened. He was still a relatively young jazz artist, far from being a recognizable figure associated with any kind of film.Years on, Harry Connick Jr. is still thanking just one person for unlocking that door for him, and that is film director Rob Reiner. At a recently held tribute, the artist spoke about how that first encounter had given him the key to success by instilling confidence in him, letting him do the things that he wanted, and getting a foothold in the industry that he was not familiar with.How director Rob Reiner gave Harry Connick Jr. his big breakOne of the first memories Harry Connick Jr. has of working in the industry is being invited by filmmaker Rob Reiner to come to Los Angeles to work on the piano underscoring for the film When Harry Met Sally. He did not, at the time, have any idea what exactly this meant, but it seemed like a good opportunity. He soon found himself in the studio, where he was encouraged to improvise along with the scenes taking place before him.What impressed Harry Connick Jr. most, however, was the way Reiner trusted him completely. Instead of holding the music in check, Reiner allowed him the freedom to discover for himself, on his own terms and in his own style, how things could be accomplished. This trust also applied to the score for the film and Connick's own performance of "Winter Wonderland" which featured the influence of New Orleans and the piano on which it was recorded.It would be on “It Had to Be You,” the track that would prove inextricably tied to the film as a symbol that this partnership would achieve its defining moment. Of this experience, Connick himself would recall that it was on this track that Reiner asked him to stretch himself on the vocal performance, aiming for an ending note that he did not want to reach, although this moment would prove pivotal in its success.This moment would prove to usher in mainstream recognition for the young performer, as he gained recognition beyond his early fan base. The video went viral in the wake of Connick’s public tribute to Reiner after the latter’s death. The audience revisited the video and the music, as well as the backstory surrounding the whole project, and realized that this was the very best way that Connick could repay the debt that he owed to Reiner. The gratitude that Connick has extended to Reiner is inessential and biographical.