I found this fascinating quote today:
About developing your jazz sound; If you are not sure whom to imitate, no one else cannot really tell it to you. My suggestion is to listen to music a lot. Kind of jazz you like, players you admire. Then gradually (over the years) your saxophone sound will develop toward the direction of your liking.Harri Rautiainen, Sax on the Web, May 2009
You should read the whole article.
