Kirkwood High School Class of 1963 Honors Former Classmate and Hall of Fame Member David Sanborn

Members of the Class of 1963 recently returned to Kirkwood High School to gift a special tribute in honor of their late classmate, David Sanborn. Sanborn was a renowned saxophonist and was inducted into the Kirkwood High School Outstanding Hall of Fame in 2010.  

During his musical career, Sanborn released over twenty solo albums and worked with artists such as David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Wonder. Sanborn remained connected to his alma mater during his lifetime and returned to Kirkwood High School for the dedication of the Thomas N. Keating Performance Center in 1995. He also recorded a DVD for a “Dress Up the Band” fundraiser held in 2007. 

Classmates began brainstorming about ways to honor Sanborn after his passing in May 2024. They were able to reach out to his family to gather input on how best to honor him. Classmates were put in touch with his wife, Alice Soyer, an accomplished musician and artist, who offered to paint and donate a tribute to her late husband. The class then coordinated with Kirkwood Schools to donate a portrait of Sanborn painted by Soyer. 

His classmates were able to visit Kirkwood High School in May to see the portrait, which was installed in the hallway outside of the bandroom, where many generations of Kirkwood High School students will see and be inspired by the painting. During the visit, KHS student and musician Cole Hathaway joined the group to play a portion of the saxophone piece that earned him a Gold Rating at the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Music Festival.