Robin Nolan Honors George Harrison Through Gypsy Jazz Tribute Album

In a remarkable intersection of music and legacy, Dutch guitarist Robin Nolan has paid tribute to the late George Harrison with his latest album, "For The Love Of George," released on February 25, 2025, to commemorate what would have been Harrison's 82nd birthday. This project exemplifies a deep-rooted friendship that began over 30 years ago when Nolan, a passionate gypsy jazz musician, was discovered by a gardener at Harrison's estate, Friar Park, in England.

In 1994, while busking in the streets of Amsterdam, Nolan's self-produced CD caught the attention of the gardener, who recognized Harrison's interest in Django Reinhardt. The gardener purchased the CD and passed it along to Harrison, leading to a surreal phone conversation between the two artists. Nolan recalls, "I had a surreal conversation on the phone with George, and he ended up inviting me over to play at a party they were having." This invitation marked the beginning of a long-standing friendship, with Nolan frequently performing at family gatherings at Friar Park.

Nolan, an established artist with over a dozen albums to his credit, considers his latest release particularly special. The album features a title track based on a chord sequence that Harrison had jotted down shortly before his passing in 2001. Reflecting on this connection, Nolan stated, "Just seeing his handwriting ... gives me chills." The process of interpreting Harrison's chords into a melody was a labor of love for Nolan, who wanted to evoke Harrison's unique musical essence. "I just thought, ‘I’ve got to come up with a gorgeous melody which is all about George,’" he explained.

Recorded using three of Harrison's own guitars, including a 1962 Gibson J160 acoustic and a 1964 Rickenbacker 360/12 electric, the album showcases Nolan's gypsy jazz interpretations of Harrison's work. Songs such as "Wah Wah" and "My Sweet Lord" have been infused with Nolan's distinctive style, while his rendition of the romantic ballad "Something" captures the essence of Harrison's original composition. Notably, the album also includes an interpretation of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," a song that resonates deeply within the musical community.

Nolan's deep admiration for Harrison's work and their shared love for gypsy jazz and world music is evident throughout the album. Not only does Nolan pay homage to Harrison's musical legacy, but he also acknowledges the profound influence that Harrison had on his musical journey. "I met him when I was just a kid... And now to come full circle to this day, to be able to play Django’s music on George’s guitars … it’s just an amazing story," Nolan remarked.

In addition to his recordings, Nolan actively contributes to the music community through his YouTube instructional series, "Robin Nolan’s Gypsy Jazz Secrets," and leads the Gypsy Jazz Club, an online platform for aspiring guitarists. As he continues to honor Harrison's legacy through his art, Nolan's journey encapsulates the spirit of both innovation and reverence in the world of music.