In April 2023, I embarked on a memorable journey to California to attend the renowned Namm show, where I had the pleasure of meeting an array of friends and supporters.
The trip was a delightful blend of exploring new places and encountering extraordinary individuals who left a lasting impression on me.
Among them, a particularly remarkable figure was Victor Jofre Hugo, a singularly talented musician and artist.
I was at the Kala booth, admiring Boris and its performance and secretly dreaming of being able to play like him one day.
Lost in my own world of dreams and music, my attention was suddenly drawn to a man standing behind me, wearing a Namm Show name tag.
His name was Victor Hugo, a difficult name to ignore.
The Victor Hugo I knew, was a poet, novelist and dramatist. Considered the most important of the French Romantic writers. he is better known abroad for such novels as Notre-Dame de Paris (1831; The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) and Les Misérables (1862)
Due to my inquisitive nature I asked if that was indeed his real name, and to my surprise, it was.
However, what captured further my attention was the unique ukulele he carried in his bag.
As he unveiled the instrument, I was fascinated by its unconventional appearance with its solid shape and fluorescent yellow strings, setting it apart from any other ukulele I had ever laid eyes on. 
Its melodic tones had a slight variation that intrigued me deeply.
As it turns out, Victor is the owner and master craftsman behind Asonu Ukuleles, an esteemed company from Chile. His ukuleles are robust and unique, drawing inspiration from Tahitian style, and reflecting the beauty of nature in their design. A shell, a whale tale or an Elephant. Anything can become an instrument.
Passion and focus radiate from Victor’s very being. Despite his considerable talent, he remains incredibly humble.
His love and passion for music is evident in every word he speaks and he got interested in the Ukulele Safari and our idea to bring music to Kenyan children.
His journey with the Tahitian ukulele began during a trip to Easter Island in 2004, where he fell in love with their music style and got inspired to create this hybrid Uke, a mix between an ukulele and a banjo with a solid wooden body.
His ukuleles are strong, with a movable bridge and an unusual shape inspired by nature.
Asonu Ukuleles offer options with 4, 6, or 8 strings, tuned to G – High C – High E – A.
The 8-string variation incorporates both High and Low C and E, creating a captivating hybrid that undoubtedly captures the hearts and ears of those who hear it.
Victor takes great pride in crafting durable and affordable ukuleles, ensuring they are virtually indestructible.
Are we planning something with Victor? It is an absolute YES.
Check Victor’s instagram
Check Victors’ interview with the Ukulele Site
