The other day I was told that I have a dirty sound on saxophone.

It was actually a compliment.

The other musician was saying that my sound would fit well into one of the bands he plays with.  The tenor sax player he has now plays great, but has a very clean sound.  They play spy themed music (James Bond, Pink Panther, stuff like that) for part of their material.  And a ‘dirtier’ sound works there.  A bit rough, with some growl to it.

The ‘dirty’ sound also works well with funk, blues, heavy salsa, etc.

It wouldn’t work in a chamber music situation!

Or if you want to play a pretty ballad.

I like the sound that I’m getting in the context that I play it.  But I fit the style of my sound to the situation and will adjust to the music.

Having a strong embouchure and control on sax lets you play the sound you want when and where it fits and you want to play it.