I read well and also play pretty good by ear and I enjoy the latter far more than the former. In the studio it's primarily charts so I've learned how to read them too.

I think ear playing is very important, as it's not possible to write "feelings" in written sheet music (or in charts).

One of the reasons we have written music is because at one time there was no other way of archiving and passing on what was played...there were no audio recorders of any kind.

Reading well is one thing, but the player's interpretation what the composer laid out is just as important.

Ian