The more I hear about the upcoming Jimmy Stewart film, the more excited I get—and the soundtrack announcement is no exception.
A little recap for you if this is news: The star of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” James “Jimmy” Stewart, traded in his Academy Award for an Army Air Corps uniform, flying 20 combat missions in a B-24 during World War II.
He survived the war and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve. By the time his military service was complete, he was a brigadier general—but like so many veterans, combat and military service left him traumatized and desolate.
Also Read: ‘Jimmy’ trailer: The Oscars, World War II, and a wonderful life
The upcoming film—simply titled “Jimmy”—will explore the life, the glam, the service, and the recovery of the man who has inspired so many to persevere through our own personal darkness. And it’s being made by a team of creators who demonstrate over and over again how much they respect military service and the experience of veterans.
JIMMY – Official Trailer
The soundtrack is yet another example of this. I am really tickled by the use of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band.
What an incredible experience that had to be to be part of this film. I’ve said many times before how meaningful it is for veterans to be able to help tell our own stories in television and film and I absolutely love that military musicians got to share in this experience.
If you haven’t heard of military bands and musical performers before, or it’s only just now dawning on you that “Oh yeah, someone has to be playing that trumpet during ‘Taps,'” the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, also known as the 686th Air Force Band, is comprised of active duty Air Force musicians.
Yes, that’s their actual assignment on active duty.
This particular unit has been performing in Europe and Africa since Feb. 1, 1943, when it was activated as the 386th Army Air Forces Band—in the days before the Air Force was independent from the Army!
It began with just five members, but today consists of 45 who serve to entertain and boost the morale of U.S. troops and foster trust and friendship between the U.S. and the diverse populations across the European and African continents.
In addition to performing traditional military ceremonial and parade music, members perform entertainment concerts and, well, film scores! Other branches have bands and performing ensembles as well, including the United States Marine Band, the U.S. Army Band, and Tops in Blue (rest in peace).
MŌRIAH also joins the soundtrack along with award-winning composer Grant Fonda, who also happens to be the great-great grandnephew of Henry Fonda, one of Stewart’s best friends.
“Jimmy” director Aaron Burns was deliberate and careful in his selection for the score. He wanted it to convey a timelessness that would bring the audience from Hollywood to the European Theater of World War II and back home to the United States.
“Grant Fonda represents the best tradition of Hollywood melding the past and the present,” Burns said in a statement.
“Creating the score for ‘Jimmy’ was a delight from the very first conversations about the project,” Fonda said in a press release. “Much of Jimmy’s real-life journey intersected with my own as a creative and the grandson of a war veteran, giving me the opportunity to write an emotionally potent score that I believe transcends generations and speaks not only to an individual but to the universal search for identity, love, and belonging. “
“Recording the melodically rich score at the beautiful Bandrika Studios with Los Angeles’s finest musicians and an all-star music team was the cherry on top,” He continued. “Eighty years have passed since Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart gifted the world It’s a Wonderful Life, poignantly reminding us that, no matter how difficult life becomes, it is always worth living. I hope people will, for another 80 years, look to their right and to their left and, while humming the themes from our film, hold close the people beside them.”
The soundtrack will include songs that sound like they’re sure to become favorites:
• “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” performed by Kara Killmer, who also stars in the movie, accompanied by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band.
• A new arrangement of “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and the official soundtrack by Grant Fonda.
• “Home to Me” performed by MŌRIAH, written by Natalie Layne and Bernie Herms and produced by Herms (Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Natalie Grant, David Foster, Barbra Streisand).
• “Ain’t She Sweet,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Happy Days Are Here Again,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” produced by Nathan Walters (Jessica Simpson, Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Hayes, Monica).
As the film’s premiere date draws nearer, the team continues to show their support for service members and their families with multiple initiatives. As a thank you to those who serve, and the loved ones who support them, “Jimmy” has partnered with Vet Tix, a veteran-led nonprofit, to provide donated tickets for active duty military, veterans, first responders, and their families to see the movie in theaters.
Papaian Studios, the founding donor, launched the campaign with the first 10,000 tickets and a current fundraiser continues to provide more. Every dollar raised goes straight to tickets. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
The “Jimmy” team has also provided support to Wreaths Across America, encouraging people to sponsor a wreath through their link to commemorate service members and to donate $5 towards Vet Tix tickets for military members, veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families.
“Jimmy” is written by Justin Strawhand (“War Against the Weak”) and directed by Aaron Burns (“Legacy Peak”) and includes Neal McDonough (“Band of Brothers”), KJ Apa (“Riverdale”), Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), Rob Riggle (“12 Strong”), and Sarah Drew (“Grey’s Anatomy”).
The film will be released exclusively in theaters on Nov. 6, 2026.
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