Boo, you don't understand. I was the first chair trumpet player in the Oklahoma All-State concert band as a sophomore in high school. I could read anything, and play it if it was in my physical range. No doubt I'm out of practice, but it's something you don't forget.
Because you can read does not make you better, it makes you different from those that achieve success via other forms of music theory.
Personally, I hope I NEVER have to listen to 23 choruses of a song of any type, but particularly jazz. Also, limiting yourself to the notes someone else wrote as their interpretation of a song is not creative, although it certainly takes technical expertise.
Go play some jazz somewhere, I have to go play popular songs for MONEY!