Unlike some other instruments, winds and brass instruments do not have any transpositional aids. You MUST learn your scales. I t is not about the scale itself, it is about getting muscle memory in these difficult keys. Playing in Db... not an easy key, but gets easier if you do not have to think about your fingers all the time.
The modes, jazz scales, altered scales, etc.. just further your ability to voice the music in your heart. You do not play scales in a solo, but you do need to understand how they tie together to form phrases and melodies and what scale fits what chord...
When you practice your scales, practice them full range. If you only practice them one octave then you will only be able to comfortably play in one octave...
MODIFICATION: You do not play scales all by themselves in a solo... Scales, and arpeggios are often used in soloing. I wanted to clear that statement up. You should incorporate what you learn in your scale practce into a melodious theme that gives people joy when listened to...