Those of you saying that jazz band will poison my taste, you got it wrong. For me, I hate big name players because they are missing the band part of jazz which is what I'm all about. Yes they do great solos and are fun to learn from, but for actual songs not at all.

1. Bolded: wut

The "greats" were commonly also brilliant bandleaders who took exciting approaches to structure and let everyone in their group shine.

2. It sounds like your philosophy of jazz is already poisoned. Enjoy playing lifeless standards.

Dude, sorry. I have somewhat weird tastes in music, but that being said, I went to jazz band today and the director told us to go home and listen to jazz (specifically swing). I'm listening to jazz right now, and I see what you said. Just got done listening to Skyline by Charlie Barnet, and that's not my favorite. Sing sing sing by Benny Goodman is much better. I think part of it was that jazz in general is very subjective, and that I just hadn't found something to fit my style.

Blow this. See what your bitchass teacher says.

What type of saxophone are you playing?
Not all. Really depends on the director.
What is wrong with learning the standards?

Nothing wrong with playing standards, it's the lifelessness that's so abhorrent.

You might hit em with...Mercy,Mercy form Cannonball Adderly, or Mister Magic from Grover Washington Jr.