2026 — A LANDMARK YEAR

14 songs reached the Top 30 in the 2026 Australian Songwriting Awards, across 8 categories.

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ABOUT JACQUES

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Jacques M Gentil is an internationally award-winning Australian songwriter, composer, lyricist and songwriting mentor, born in Mauritius into a remarkable musical family. His father, J. Philippe Gentil, M.B.E., was the composer of the Mauritian National Anthem, a musical legacy that became a formative influence on Jacques’ own songwriting.

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Jacques was named APRA/ASA Australian Songwriter of the Year in 2013 and has received numerous national and international songwriting awards, including wins in the UK Songwriting Contest and multiple categories of the Australian National Songwriting Awards. In 2026, Australia won the Commonwealth Song Contest Grand Final with his original song “Should Words Fail.”

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A longtime ASCAP songwriter and publisher, Jacques is also the founder of Magesongs School of Songwriting, established in 2002. His work spans pop, ballad, inspirational and contemporary styles, with a strong emphasis on memorable melodies, emotionally direct lyrics and songs that can cross cultures, languages and borders.

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SELECTED SONGWRITING AWARDS

Winner — Commonwealth Song Contest, representing Australia (2026)
APRA/ASA Australian Songwriter of the Year (2013)
Winner — UK Songwriting Contest Official Release Category (2021)
Winner — UK Songwriting Contest Christian/Faith Category (2017)
Multiple Winner — Spiritual Category, Australian National Songwriting Awards (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Winner — Ballad Category, Australian National Songwriting Awards (2012, 2013)
Winner — Instrumental Category, Songsalive Australia (2012)

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CONTACT

For songwriting, publishing and professional enquiries:

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Jacques M Gentil
Award-Winning Songwriter • Composer • Lyricist
Magesongs Publishing (ASCAP)

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Email: admin@magesongs.com

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Facebook: Jacques M Gentil – Award-Winning Songwriter

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Founder — Magesongs School of Songwriting 

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