Heinz Winckler

SUMMARY: He will probably always be known locally as the first winner of South African Idol back in 2002, but this singer with a huge voice and witty, charismatic stage personality has a number of other significant notches in his belt including: 4th place in World Idol, Disney soundtrack artist, 3 SAMA nominations, 3 People Magazine Crystal Awards, Once In A Lifetime single release, 6 studio albums and 2 Live DVD’s (out of which he achieved Double Platinum), Platinum and Gold status sales, lead role in North American and Japanese touring production of RENT, roles in the local soapie, Binnelanders and drama series, Getroud Met Rugby, continuity presenter on the Kyknet channel, and lead role in “Jesus The Musical” (Afrikaans) at the Pretoria State Theatre. He regularly hosts workshops for aspiring singers and produces music for up and coming artists. Heinz is the proud husband of Aletté-Johanni Winckler and father to three boys, Lian, Simeon and Reuben.

INTRODUCTION: Called by some the “best male vocalist in the country,” with a strong, entertaining and very witty stage personality and presence to go with it, Heinz recently released his “Greatest Hits / Grootste Treffers Volume 1″ album. A collection of his best songs and radio hits from his first 12 years in the music industry. Fans will be able to now own their favourite hits from “Once In A Lifetime” to “Jakarandakoningin” and 16 others on one album! But Heinz also wanted to make sure his fans get something new, so this Greatest Hits album also includes 2 brand new songs! “Meisie Van My Hart” from the brand new Afrikaans romantic comedy Mooiriver’s (due for release in Feb 2015) soundtrack. And “The Moment”, an inspirational anthemic English track that he debuted on SA Idols in Sept 2014. This new album promises to be a must have collectors item for Heinz Winckler fans!

LATEST: Heinz released his 6th studio album in July 2013. The album titled “Jy’s Bonatuurlik” (You’re Supernatural) is his 3rd mainly Afrikaans album, and his fans love it! The album’s first single was “Vat My Hand” and was released with a beautiful music video. The catchy yet meaningful English single, “Who You Really Are,” has also been released as a radio single. The song that seems to be grabbing people’s hearts the most, is the powerful “100 000 Gebede,” which Heinz wrote for South Africa.

In May/June of 2013 he portrayed the character of Jesus in the Afrikaans musical “Jesus Die Musiekblyspel” at the Pretoria State Theatre. “It is an overwhelming and daunting task, but I feel very privileged to have the chance to help tell the story of all stories,” Heinz commented.

Heinz worked behind the scenes as producer on an exciting new project for his wife, Aletté-Johanni and her best friend Sumari Schoeman, a lullaby album for babies! This product launched in June 2013 and is called Zzzz Lullabyes – Sleepy Time. It is also available in Afrikaans and there is a CD, DVD and a Lulla-Bible book.

His first Afrikaans offering, “Ek Kan Weer In Liefde Glo,” reached platinum sales status in 2011. His album, “24/7/365,” was launched in July 2011 and reached gold status in Feb 2012! Heinz supporters are praising the latest album with hit singles like “1001 Soene”, “Jy’s Net Myne” and “Blindfolded” (co-written by American Idol winner Kris Allen), which has taken the English top 40 stations and Adult Contemporary stations by storm. This 17 track hitlist cd also sports the huge hit, “You and I”, a duet with Charlize Berg, and the popular “sokkie” hit and title track, “24/7/365”.

The Johannesburg based private school, Curro Aurora, approached Heinz to help them set up a brand new, state of the art Performing Arts Academy on their campus. What started out as a dream around a table in 2011 and a rough sketch on an iPad, is now a reality. Soon students will have access to this integrated, state of the art facility with dedicated music rehearsal rooms where they will be taught in voice, guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano and keyboard. This will be linked to a music studio and control room, which will be linked to a open air live venue as well as a dance studio. This opportunity gives kids the chance to learn all the different facets and disciplines of modern music as well as foundational classical music.

WORKSHOP AND PRODUCTION: In July 2010, Winckler launched the Heinz Winckler Workshop for aspiring singers where he aims to help up and coming performers better their chances of creating a successful music career. (www.heinzwinckler.com/workshop, www.facebook.com/HWWorkshop, Twitter: @hwworkshop)

Since 2010, Heinz has been showcasing his skills as a music producer through debut projects of new up and coming South African singers. This is just one example of a way in which Heinz enjoys helping others’ make their dreams of becoming a professional musician a reality.

Since moving to Somerset West, Winckler has joined forces with 3 other creatives (Sven Blumer, Konstand Spies and Uys Visser) to form the exciting music production and new media company, EARTH.SONG. Eath.Song operates from Somerset West and Franschoek Studios. (heinz@earthsong.co.za, Twitter: @Earth_Song, Facebook: Earth.Song Productions)

Heinz was a continuity presenter on die popular Afrikaans channel, Kyknet from 2011-2012.

HIS/STORY: Heinz Winckler was the first winner of the South African Idols competition that took place in 2002. Since then, he has released a double platinum selling single, 3 chart topping English studio albums (One Step Closer, Come Alive, Moment of Truth), a live DVD, performed “Chasing Shadows” on Disney’s sound track of “Treasure Planet,” came 4th in World Idols (taped in London Dec 2003/Jan 2004) beating the UK’s, Will Young, and has been nominated for 2 South African Music Awards. He won People Magazine’s Crystal Awards for “Best Male Personality,” “Hottest Hunk,” and “Hottest Artist.” His track “Only For You” was the 20th most played song on SA radio in 2005.

Today, Heinz is a house hold name in South Africa where he has done countless shows all over the country, including touring with Westlife (April 2005), and opening for Christina Aguilera and Diana Ross at a prestigious Johannesburg charity event (October 2005). He has also guest starred on several local soapies including, Egoli, 7de Laan and Villa Rosa and has been a regular guest on almost every local talk show including 3Talk, Kwela, Pasella and Top Billing.

“RENT”: In April 2007, Winckler landed the coveted role of “Roger Davis” for the 2007-2008 North American and Japanese tour of the Broadway hit musical, RENT. The tour had Heinz and his new found family of cast, crew and band perform 215 shows to an estimated 300,000 people over 9 months and 215 shows! Heinz and his fellow cast members received rave reviews from theatre goers and critics alike.

AFTER RENT / BACK IN SA: Shortly after Heinz’s return to SA, he was offered a 12 week role on the popular Mnet soap, Binnelanders, as the charming Dr. Andreas Geldenhuys, for which he received praise from fans and the acting fraternity.

In March 2009, Heinz signed a new record deal with the Afrikaans music power house, Select Music. In October of the same year, his first and highly anticipated mainly Afrikaans album was released. The title track and first radio single, “Ek Kan Weer In Liefde Glo,” became an instant hit. The second single, “Dis Daai 20 Minute,” is currently a huge radio hit and was followed by the just as popular “Jakarandakoningin” and “Jy Gee My Buterflies.” He also released an English single, “Real Song,” that reached No. 3 on the Highveld 94.7 Take 40 SA chart.

This first Afrikaans offering from Heinz Winckler reached Platinum sales status in November 2010!

In 2010, Winckler also played the role of JP Viviers on KykNet’s popular drama series, Gertoud Met Rugby, and was a coach for contestants on SABC’s reality singing talent show, Supersterre.

CHARITIES: Heinz and his wife are ambassadors for and supporters of the Thembalitsha Foundation (www.thembalitsha.org), African Havens (www.africanhavens.org), and Toys For Africa.

FAMILY: Heinz is married the the beautiful image consultant, Aletté-Johanni Winckler (www.alette-johanni-winckler.com), and they are the proud parents of Lian Theo Winckler (born 23 May 2010), Simeon Carl Winckler (born 20 Apr 2012) and Reuben Jacques Winckler (15 March 2014). Heinz and Alette-Johanni were awarded KykNet’s “2011‘s Glam Couple of the Year Award” according to the program “10 uit 10.” They are currently living in Somerset West.

Extract From: http://heinzwinckler.com/