Detroit singer/songwriter Susan Calloway has been garnering a lot of attention recently for her work with Distant Worlds, music from the game sensation Final Fantasy. What began as a simple request from Grammy award winning conductor Arnie Roth & Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu has turned into something of a career highlight for Calloway. Arnie Roth & composer Nobuo Uematsu approached Susan and asked her to lend her amazing vocal ability for a record they were working on “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY ” a collection of music from the famous gaming series by Square Enix.  Since it’s release, which featured Calloway’s vocals on the albums title song, “Memoro de la Stona ~ Distant Worlds” from Final Fantasy XI, the album has sold thousands of copies.

"After working with some of the world’s greatest vocalists, including the likes of Diana Ross, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Peter Cetera, and so many others,” says Roth, “I am still always quite overwhelmed by Susan’s huge talent and gorgeous voice whenever I get the opportunity to perform with her, either on the concert stage or in recording studios. She has the rare ability to make the music her own. When she sings, the music becomes a moving and intimate personal statement. Only the greatest performers connect with fellow musicians and audiences in this way!" 

This year, Roth was asked to do a world tour featuring the music of Nobuo Uematsu and Final fantasy. As an added bonus for Calloway’s many new gamer fans, she was invited to perform in select cities during this headline-making live tour.  With her vocal contribution to Final Fantasy receiving enthusiastic attention worldwide, Nobuo has recently requested to work with Calloway again in future projects.

"The first time I heard Susan sing, we were at a rehearsal for Distant Worlds in Grand Rapids” says Uematsu. “She was so expressive that it caught my ear and I instantly fell in love with her voice”.

“I remember a few years ago when my friend Arnie Roth called me to work on this project.”, says Calloway. “It was the first time I heard Nobuo Uematsu’s amazing music.  The score he gave me was so awesome.  It’s funny even before I sang a note I knew that we were going to create something really special with this recording.  There is something special about Nobuo’s style that brings out a unique side of me as an artist.  It has been a very special collaboration”.

Susan will be taking the stage again with Arnie Roth, Nobuo Uematsu, and the Chicago Symphony orchestra on December 12 in Chicago.  Don’t miss this stunning night of Final Fantasy music. Susan will be performing 4 songs in this special concert event.  She has also just released her first solo CD, “Chasin the Sun” this fall.  The album is available on iTunes and other digital retailers including Amazon. Susan’s band includes a star-studded line up of musicians including world renowned Bass Player, Tony Levin.  A physical copy of the album and more information about Susan’s music can be found on her website: http://www.susancalloway.com