Who’s Who: Cal Swann

Introduction to Typography 1: Hello

Reflections on those techniques of typography

Cal SwannCal has been a typographer and design educator in England and Australia throughout the last five decades, ending up as Professor of Design at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Retired from full-time employment, he continues to design graphics, write, play jazz, and enjoy family life under a cloudless blue sky.

32

This (and overleaf): two double page spreads from Typographics 69, the journal of the International Society of Typographic Design 2012

While Professor of Design at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia (until 2001), I was responsible for supervising Doctoral and Masters research students.

In addition, I developed the coursework Master of Design program into distance education mode, offered through Open Learning Australia in 1998.

This program became the first design course in the world that could be studied online, so I’ve had an interest in online stuff for quite a while.

I’m a graphic designer with a special training and interest in typography, starting almost a hundred years ago, during a three year Diploma course in Typography at Leicester College of Art in the UK.

Cal Swann, a brief resume

Later, much later, as a (very) mature student I gained an MA in Applied Linguistics at Lancaster University in 1986 and combined the two disciplines in the publication Language and Typography (1991 Lund Humphries). This was a complement to the earlier book Techniques of Typography (1969, 1981). Illustration from 2012 issue of ‘Typographics 69’ previous pages.

In 1989 I arrived in Australia as Head of the School of Design in South Australia. I’d held similar positions in the UK as Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design at Liverpool Polytechnic.

One of the nicest jobs was as Head of Graphic Design at Saint Martin’s School of Art, London from 1981–86, where I enjoyed daily contact with many of Europe’s leading designers.

A Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers (UK), I was also a frequent presenter at international conferences on topics ranging from typography to design research.

Projects I’m working on include books on typography, design research, Australian outback roadside mail boxes and a personal history of graphic design. I have been a designer and educator in England and Australia throughout the last five decades.

Present positionConsultant graphic designer and design educator.

Previous academic posts1996-2001 Professor of Design, Curtin University of Technology1995-96 Professor of Typographic Design, University of South Australia1989-92 Head of School of Design, University of South Australia1986-89 Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Art & Design, Liverpool Polytechnic, UK1981-86 Head of Department of Graphic Design, St Martins School of Art, London1970-81 Head of Department of Graphic Design, North Staffordshire Polytechnic, UK1960-70 Full-time lecturing (and senior lecturer) posts at Manchester College of Art, London College of Printing, Plymouth College of Art.

Book publications 2012 Italic Handwriting: who needs to write anyway? The Occasional Gig Press2011 A feel for metal The Occasional Gig Press2011 Threads: a life part remembered1991 Language and Typography Lund Humphries, London/Routledge Kegan Paul, New York 1969 Techniques of Typography Lund Humphries, London/Watson-Guptil, New York (reprinted 1981)

Academic awards1996 Appointed Professor of Design, Curtin University of Technology1995 Awarded Professor of Typographic Design, University of South Australia1988 Awarded Professor of Typographic Design, Liverpool Polytechnic UK1986 Awarded Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, Lancaster University UK1956 National Diploma in Design (Typography) UK1956 City & Guilds Full Tech Certificate (First Class Hons) Typographic Design, UK1953 Intermediate Certificate in Art & Design, Leicester College of Art and Design

Professional qualifications1993-01 Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia1969-01 Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers UK

Contact details

email: cal.swann@westnet.com.au

Web

http://independent.academia.edu/CalSwann

My main interest these days is in writing and designing books, which have more lasting values than most commercial graphics. This started with Techniques of Typography in 1969, followed by Language and Typography in 1991, both published by Lund Humphries in London.

Threads is an autobiography of my growing up time and going to art school, published in 2011.

Book design

10 11package later in 1991, which turned out to be particularly memorable for those who stayed in one of the large upstairs bedrooms. A rainstorm and years of accumulated guano on the roof caused gutters to overflow and rainwater to run down the walls.

Sue and Norma soon discussed starting a jazz club in the hotel, to showcase different bands at monthly Wednesday night concerts. Together with a group of enthusiasts, they invited some interested and well-respected local musicians to join them in forming a committee. These included Lew Smith, Barry Bruce, Ross Nicholson and Bob Anderson. They felt that the club should promote a wide variety of styles and promote jazz music in and around Fremantle.

It was an exciting time, and very much hands-on, with supporters pitching in to help form the new club. The inaugural meeting was held on the 10th of June and a committee was formed one week later, on the 17th of June.

Starting a new club was not always easy, but it was often fun. Discussions to decide on things like a club name, aims, logo, events, etc (and later, a constitution) were often held away from the bar area in one of the back rooms of the old hotel, surrounded by grand furniture.

Many people enthusiastically gave their time and support, working together with a common goal for the new club.

Sue and Ron dealt with the practical hotel details such as providing food for the proposed musical events. The enterprising Sue bought many metres of bargain price fabric and sewed curtains for a stage backdrop, and put an old piano into use. Norma encouraged people to help in various capacities, mainly from the Sweet and Hot fans who continued to come to their Sunday sessions.

The first club session was held on the night of Wednesday 12th August 1992, and was listed as a ‘getting to know you’ night, with music by June and Lew Smith and the Apple Band, The Gumnut Stompers, Bob Anderson’s Jazz Friends, and others. About 30 musicians gave their time voluntarily, and played to a large audience of between 140 and 150 people. It was a great success, and some of the audience signed up as members.

The next session was a tribute to the music of Duke Ellington, arranged, presented and narrated by Lew Smith and

his Ellingtonians, with George Franklyn (tpt), Roger Whyte (pno), Bill Crooks (double bass), Barry Cox (dr), Lew Smith (reeds and flute) and June Smith (vocals). This was followed by a vibraphone night with Garry Lee and Alan Lee, Women in Jazz, and an Eddie Condon tribute night with the Lazy River Jazz Band, with the club’s first interstate guests – Clare Hansson from Brisbane on piano, and Barbara Foulds, a vocalist from Sydney.

Other features of the club’s early days were the extra social events and outings. On one occasion, the committee went to have dinner at The Sicilian Restaurant, where there was such a long wait to get a table that they drank all the wine they had brought with them while standing in the queue. It was a funny night. Events that the club members were involved in during these early days at the Orient included a jazz weekend at the Ravenswood Hotel on the Murray River, and the first of the club’s many annual bus trips to the Jacaranda Jazz Festival at Houghton’s winery.

Sadly, Ron and Sue parted company at the end of the year, and when it was realised that the Orient would get sold, the committee started to look for a new venue - the first of many moves.

Previous page: Leon Cole, Don Bancroft

Right: Sue Davis and Norma Penning, at the Orient

Hotel, 1992

Far right: Sweet and Hot at the Orient 1992

Right centre: Cheryl Feeney and Maxine Byass

Bottom right: The Orient Hotel

100 101

Clockwise from top: Ben Matthews; Bluesology;

Jeremy Greig; Victoria Newton; Glynn MacDonald;

The Anning Family: Toby, Sam, Kim

Clockwise from top: Laura Bernay; Hank Marvin

Gypsy Swing Band; Lew Smith; Barry Cox;

Bronwynn Sprogowski

120 121

1994

17 JANUARY 9 1994 Douce Ambiance Richard Price (violin), John Green (g), Matthew Bateman (b/vocal), Norm Burroughs (d) with special guest George Washingmachine (violin)

JANUARY 23 1994 ‘Picnic at Rod Coker’s in Banjup’ Grady Lovelle Heptet – led by vocalist Grady Lovelle, David McGregor (tpt), Chris Grieve (tbn), Lyle Davidson (t/s), Mark Shanahan(g), Paul Pooley(b), Michael Pigneguy(d)

SEAVIEW TAVERN South Terrace, South Fremantle 4pm to 7pm (On Every Second Sunday of each month)

18 FEBRUARY 6 1994 Sweet & Hot Featuring vocalists Denise Dale and June Smith

FEBRUARY 20 1994 ‘The Lady and The President A Tribute to Billie Holiday & Lester Young’ featuring vocalist June Smith and Lew Smith (reeds) plus rhythm section

19 MARCH 6 1994 Vocalist Annie Neil and the Alan Pithers Trio

MARCH 20, 1994 Goldmine Male Vocal Quartet comprised of Wayne Senior, Ray Walker, Joe Tattersall, Paul Reynolds, all vocals

20 APRIL 3 1994 (Easter Sunday) Helen Matthews Quartet led by vocalist Helen Matthews featuring Graham Wood (p), Murray Wilkins (b), Gary France (d), Simon Styles (reeds)

APRIL 17 1994 Grady Lovelle Heptet led by vocalist Grady Lovelle, David McGregor (tpt), Chris Grieve (tbn), Lyle Davidson (t/s), Mark Shanahan (g), Paul Pooley (b), Michael Pigneguy (d)

APRIL 24 1994 Leon Cole’s ‘Sweet & Hot’ (Now on Every Sunday 4pm to 7pm)

21 MAY 1 1994 Vocalist Denise Dale with the Ron Kegie Connection

MAY 8 1994 Danny Moss Quartet led by Danny Moss (t/s), Barry Cox (d), Billy Clowes (p), Murray Wilkins (b)

MAY 15 1994 Vocalist Elizabeth Sanderson with Chris Grieve (tbn) and rhythm section including latin percussion specialist Wency De Sousa

MAY 22 1994 Lazy River Jazz Band led by Vince Holmes (vocals/g), John Healy (vocals/b), Lloyd Napier (cornet), Jim Cook (reeds), Bill McAllister (tbn)

MAY 29 1994 Vocalist June Newman & Garry Lee (g/vibes) plus rhythm section

22 JUNE 5 1994 JazzWest is a 20-piece aggregation of tutors, graduates and outstanding students from the Conservatorium – led by trumpeter Pat Crichton – also featuring vocalists Sue Kingham and Libby Hammer JUNE 12 1994 Divided Self Quintet featuring vocalist Marnie Kent, Adam Robinson (vocals/p), Shane Mancuso (a/s)

JUNE 19 1994 Jazz Jokers present ‘When Swing Was King – a tribute to Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton’ – Lew Smith (reeds/vocals), Garry Lee (vibes/g/vocals), Paul Binns (string bass/ electric bass), Norm Burroughs (d)

JUNE 26 1994 Perth Jazz Orchestra is an 18-piece band led by Gary France

23 JULY 3 1994 Leon Cole’s ‘Sweet & Hot’ led by Leon (cornet/vocals), Dennis Bryson (reeds), Don Bancroft (bass), Bob O’Bray (vibes), John Green (g), Norm Burroughs (d) and vocalist Jan Geoffrey

JULY 10 1994 Grady Lovelle Heptet led by vocalist Grady Lovelle, David McGregor (tpt), Chris Grieve (tbn), Lyle Davidson (t/s), Mark Shanahan (g), Paul Pooley (b), Michael Pigneguy (d)

40 41

Top: Birdland with Mike Nelson and Jim Cook;

Above: Graham Wood, Helen Matthews;

Glen Walsh, Ray Walker

Right: Ben Vanderwal

Below: Matt Jodrell and June Smith

Top: WA Jazz Guitar Society members: Ray Walker,

Dale Boaden, Cliff Linton, Ian McGregor, Hank

Marvin, Gary Taylor. Centre: June and Lew Smith

Bottom: Lazy River Jazz Band with Barry Bruce,

John Healy and Vince Holmes

‑

A History of Jazz Fremantle 1992–2012

This book is a compilation of articles, memories, photographs

and newspaper cuttings, contributed by many club enthusiasts.

It includes a complete list of all the bands and musicians who

have made the music in the twenty years of Jazz Fremantle.

It is a history of Jazz Fremantle from 1992 to 2012 in notes and

pictures. Twenty years on is an appropriate moment to celebrate

the achievements of a relatively small bunch of jazz enthusiasts

who began the venture, and whose volunteer efforts maintained

a presence for live jazz in Fremantle.

The beneficiaries of this enterprise are numerous. Apart from

the audiences and the Fremantle arts culture, there are the

generations of musicians who made it possible and in so doing,

established a regular outlet for professional music, contributing

to the much acclaimed high standard of jazz education and

performance in the Perth area.

Jazz in Fremantle Publishing Group

TW

EN

TY

YE

AR

S O

F JA

ZZ

FR

EM

AN

TL

E

TWENTY YEARS OFJAZZFremantle

ISSU

E 21

8 A

PRIL

201

2 PR

OG

RA

M

Sponsored by

NEWSLETTER

Solaris Benefit Concert with

Libby Hammer quintet

No session-Easter weekend

Victoria Newton with the

Graham Wood quartet

Swingshift Big Band and

singers

Sue Bluck quartet plus Dave

Brewer

Patron: Libby Hammer

President/enquiries: Lew Smith 9384 8350

Secretary: Tony Goodman 9330 3491

Assistant Secretary: Pamela Stynes 0416 838 827

Treasurer: Ken Bateman 9330 7803

Membership: Arch Currie 0422 956 067

Sound: Terry Hill 0418 938 599

Email: info@jazzfremantle.com.au

Website: www.jazzfremantle.com.au

PO Box 1269 Fremantle WA 6959

Table Bookings:

Bookings are available by TEXTING Pamela on

0416 838 827

Jazz Fremantle meets Sundays

(excluding some long weekends)

4 – 7pm at the Navy Club

64 High Street, Fremantle

Admission

$10.00 members (any jazz club)

$15.00 non member

(increased prices may apply for special events)

Membership

$20.00 single $30.00 double

Jazz Fremantle office holders

Jazz Fremantle membership

1 Apr

8 Apr

15 Apr

22 Apr

29 Apr

Graham Wood

Che

lsea

J G

ibso

n

Mik

e N

elso

n

Mur

ray

Wilk

ins

Libby Hammer

Victoria Newton

Sue Bluck

Swingshift Big Band

I co-edited a book for a twenty year history of Jazz Fremantle, which I then designed to have a slightly scrapbook feel. 2012.

Book design

Poster design

Design EducationProceedings1996

DIA National Conference on

Digital Issue 2002

Journal and book design

Coordinated graphics

Designs for the Design Institute of Australia

Miscellaneous journal covers

Miscellaneous journal covers