What is vaudeville music?

Vaudeville music is a diverse mix of musical styles that were performed as part of vaudeville theatre shows in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It combined elements of classical, popular, folk, and ragtime music. Typical instruments used in vaudeville music include piano, violin, flute, clarinet, drums, and banjo. The music varied from sentimental ballads to lively dance numbers and comic songs, featuring soloists, vocal groups, and dance ensembles. Vaudeville music had a significant influence on the development of popular music in the United States and Europe.