Final answer:
Vaudeville blues were part of the black theater circuit, highlighted during the Harlem Renaissance, and featured iconic female singers like Bessie Smith rather than being an exclusively male or religious genre.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vaudeville blues, also known as classic or urban blues, were performed on black theater circuits. This style of blues music evolved from African-American spirituals and gained prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. Contrary to being associated exclusively with male singers or being primarily religious, the vaudeville blues were noted for featuring powerhouse female vocalists like Bessie Smith, who was dubbed "The Empress of the Blues." Her collaborations with influential musicians such as Louis Armstrong contributed to the genre's fame. Vaudeville blues performances were part of a larger variety of entertainment offered in theaters, which included singing accompanied by instruments rather than being usually sung unaccompanied.