Final answer:
Bessie Smith was the vaudeville performer who became the key blues singer of the 1920s, contributing greatly to the jazz genre and later influencing jazz vocalists. Known as "The Empress of the Blues," she collaborated with Louis Armstrong and was an iconic figure during the Harlem Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vaudeville performer who became the most important blues singer of the 1920s and paved the way for future jazz vocalists was Bessie Smith. Born out of African-American spirituals and the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance, Bessie Smith was celebrated for her powerful voice and iconic songs like "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out." Her collaborations with influential jazz figures like Louis Armstrong, on tracks like "Saint Louis Blues," solidified her as a key figure in both the blues and jazz genres.
Jazz music, which was a fusion of ragtime and blues, epitomized the culture of the 1920s and the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. The era saw the rise of legendary musicians who performed in Harlem nightclubs such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater. It was during this vibrant period that Bessie Smith earned the title "The Empress of the Blues," contributing significantly to the development of American music.