Considered one of the premier voices of his nation, Malian singer Boubacar Traore is a seminal artist of African music. He's been a professional singer since the 1960s, though for a time he all but abandoned music. To support his family he worked various jobs including as a schoolteacher, farmer, and tailor. When family obligations lessened in the 1980s, he returned to his music and recorded his first album, ''Mariama." He's making his Boston premiere. Sept. 23, MFA's Remis Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. (The MFA Film Program will present three screenings of ''I'll Sing for You," Jacques Sarasin's tribute to Traore, Sept. 17 at 4:15 p.m., Sept. 23 at 6 p.m., and Sept. 24 at 12:10 p.m.)