Byron Janis is renowned internationally as one of the world's greatest concert pianists. In 1988, he was honored by President Reagan at a State Dinner at the White House marking the 40th anniversary of his highly acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall that launched his brilliant career.
In 1960, he was chosen as the first American artist to be sent to the Soviet Union to open the Cultural Exchange between the USSR and the United States. He has made many recordings and was asked by the French in 1978 to make a television special on the life of Frederic Chopin. This was shown on PBS in the United States, as well as in different countries around the world.
In 1973, he developed psoriatic arthritis in both hands and wrists yet he continued his performing career and even made two highly acclaimed CDs. In 1986, he became a spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation as its National Ambassador to the Arts.
Among his honors are, Commander of the French Legion d'Honneur for Arts and Letters, the Gra