Since John Scofield hasn’t been to Ames since his performance at the M-Shop in the ’80s, today’s Iowa State students may not have heard of the jazz player.

Now it’s time to get reacquainted with the jazz band leader whose explorations of jazz traditions have been making an identifiable mark in the music world since the ’70s.

Scofield’s interest in music sprouted from his “obsession” with trying to figure out the songs he heard on the radio during his childhood. He liked the architecture of music, and when he got his first guitar at age 11, Scofield was fairly quick at deducing the chords and melodies of different tunes.

“It was always fun for me,” he said.

Scofield grew up during the ’60s — the infamous “golden age of music.” His influences stem from the blues, R&B and funk.

When he was about 16 or 17, he turned into a “bebop fanatic” and remained one for many years after.

These early influences are present in Scofield’s music, but throughout the years he has also incorporated a large variety of “sounds” into his creations.

Throughout his prestigious music career, Scofield has created over 30 records, all of which have “a little story unto themselves.”

He has created an all-acoustic album as well as “A go-go” which has been described as “kinda funky.”

The sounds of each of Scofield’s albums are determined by the artist, who simply “knows what he likes.”

And it has certainly been proven that what he likes is what many music listeners like. No one needs to define or explain what is “good music.”

“You run into trouble when you try to do that,” he said.

What is important and unique about Scofield is that he is a professional musician in the truest sense.

“Good music is hard to come by,” he said, “You have to really work.”

And he works.

Since 1975, Scofield has been on the road playing six months out of every year. During those six months he spends four weeks touring in Europe where jazz gigs are more frequent.

Since his years at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Scofield has played with a number of jazz legends. He has been on stage with jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Gerry Mulligan, Dennis Chambers, Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis.

“Playing with Miles Davis was a wonderful experience,” he said.

Scofield noted that playing with Herbie Hancock was something he had always wanted to do.

“It’s nice to play with your idols,” he said.

Scofield’s band will be performing this Sunday at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at Borders books, Peeple’s Music or by calling (515) 223-6152. Tickets are $25 at the door.