I know for sure that there are some Clarinet Gurus that wander the forums here... I've been working with my privatel esson teacher on tone, you know, embochure and a flat chin and all that? About a few months ago, I was argueing with my band director about why clarinets should be in our jazz band, and he said "Clarinet's don't sound jazzy. Well, they can be, but it takes alot of practice and such". Could anyone tell me how to get a jazzy clarinet sound, almost like a saxophone? Should I complete my work on a good classical tone first before I try this?

Benny Goodman played the clarinet

I never knew clarinets could sound like a saxophone...

Have you tried a bit of vibrato??

try a large jazz mouthpiece and a softer reed. you should really work on the classical sound first. Glass mouthpieces get a bright tone, also.