AFTER getting a standing ovation for his London debut at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Liverpool swing singer Asa Heart will perform a Capital of Culture concert at the Philharmonic Hall.

Asa's first concert at the Philharmonic will be on May 9 with a 10-piece band, performing his own compositions and swing music standards.

Better known in Merseyside as Asa Murphy, the Kirkdale-born singer performed the London showcase for top UK recording chiefs from EMI, Sony, Warner Brothers and Universal, last month.

All four companies have requested Asa’s demo tapes and Tom Lewis, Universal’s top talent man, who hails from Ormskirk, asked for a Liverpool concert to gauge how the singer handles a big audience.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to play the region’s premier concert hall ,” says Asa, who lives with his wife Kelly and son Shea in Maghull.

“Singing at Ronnie Scott’s was brilliant and to my relief the show went very well, but it’s only 220 seats compared to the Philhar- monic’s 1,700 capacity.

“So I hope all the people who have supported me locally for years will come along to enjoy the occasion and help create the atmosphere.”

Tony Nunn, Asa’s new London super-agent, whose plans to launch him on US market included the surname change to Heart, says: “We’ve booked the top hall in the region to show what Asa can do.

“People at Ronnie Scott’s kept telling me he was the best performer they’ve seen there in 20 years.”