Jack embraces French writer and composer (8)
I believe the answer is:
taverner
'composer' is the definition.
(16th-century composer John Taverner)
'jack embraces french writer' is the wordplay.
'jack' becomes 'tar' (both are informal terms for sailor).
'embraces' is an insertion indicator.
'french writer' becomes 'verne' (author Jules Verne).
'tar' going around 'verne' is 'TAVERNER'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for taverner that I've seen before include "Mine host of other days" , "Publican" , "composer" , "Innkeeper" , "one found in pub" .)