If you really want to improvise and "get you own thing happening" then accept the fact that you need to become a virtuoso on your instrument. Only through discipline will you find freedom.

At Berklee I constantly hear: "Well man, I don't wanna stifle my creativity."

I am here to tell you that you have all the talent and creativity you're EVER GONNA GET. NO MORE, NO LESS. How about we feed that creativity with a little DISCIPLINE?