Also known as minstrels, bards, and jongleurs, these entertainers were the mainstay of theatre and musical arts during the church age/dark ages. It was a most fortunate individual who could, whether by his glorious retelling of a Lord's most recent effort, or by soft tales and songs of romantic love to a lonely Lady, find a patron who would accept him into their court, and off the chancy path of the highway.
Troubadors were individuals of this sort who emphasized singing over other arts.