Some of the most notable musicians and music bands that represent Middle Eastern music include the legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz, the Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, the Iraqi musician and composer Munir Bashir, and the Lebanese composer and oud player Marcel Khalife. Other notable artists in the genre include the Palestinian oud player Simon Shaheen, the Syrian singer Asmahan, and the Iraqi singer and composer Kadim Al Sahir. These artists have helped to shape and define the sound of Middle Eastern music, with their unique styles and contributions to the genre.

Middle Eastern music is diverse and varies from country to country. However, some famous songs and music albums represent the essence of this music genre. For instance, Fairuz's "Al Bint Al-Shalabiya" and "Zahrat Al Madaen" are well-known Arabic songs that showcase traditional Arabic music. Similarly, "The Music of Islam" album features a collection of Islamic music from different regions of the Middle East, including Turkey, Egypt, and Iran. Additionally, "The Rough Guide to Arabic Café" is an album that features contemporary Middle Eastern music, including fusion with jazz and electronic music. Another notable album is "Ya Nass" by Yasmine Hamdan, which is a blend of Arabic pop and indie music. Overall, these songs and music albums represent the rich and diverse culture of Middle Eastern music.

One notable Middle Eastern music festival is the Jerusalem International Oud Festival, which takes place annually in Israel and features traditional and contemporary music performed on the oud, a stringed instrument. Another event is the Arabesque Festival in Montreal, which showcases Middle Eastern and North African music, dance, and visual arts. The Festival of Sacred Music in Fes, Morocco, includes performances of music from the region's Sufi traditions, while the Cairo Jazz Festival features jazz fusion with Middle Eastern influences. Other events include the Abu Dhabi Festival, which highlights classical and contemporary music from the Arab world, and the Istanbul Music Festival, which features Turkish classical and folk music. These festivals provide a platform for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East through music and celebrate the diversity of musical traditions that exist in the region.