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Rufus Allan

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About Rufus

Described by Time Out London as “The Godfather of Scottish cabaret”, Rufus is an in-demand cabaret performer, singer, and compère.
Singer
Glasgow
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Described by the press as “The Godfather” of Scottish cabaret, Rufus is an in demand compère and singer and has held together shows all over the world from intimate cabarets and parties to theatrical variety shows, awards ceremonies and corporate events. A regular face on the UK cabaret scene, Rufus is a performer with almost 20 years experience as an actor and singer in musical theatre, cabaret and various bands. He has perfected his skills as an entertainer working in theatres across the UK in touring productions and pantomime, on cruise ships for P&O and with several touring tribute and musical revue shows. Rufus also offers a "surprise singing waiter" act with either opera or contemporary hits.

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
Member of the Encore community forum
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Swing, Christmas, Traditional church music, Opera, Musical theatre, Film / TV music, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Traditional Scottish folk, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Easy listening, Disco, Covers, Karaoke, Tribute, Soul, Motown, Vintage, Rock, Alternative rock, Classic rock, Heavy metal, Glam rock, Pop rock, Post rock, Power rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Progressive rock, Scottish music
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Church service
See all event types
Other skills:
Actor, Musical comedy, Fluent improviser, MC, Singing teaching, Lyricist, Songwriter
See all skills

Rufus' Song list

1999 - Prince
9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
A Little Respect - Erasure
Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
Addicted To Love - Robert Palmer
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head - Dean Martin
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
All Of Me - Frank Sinatra
Always - Bon Jovi
Amazed - Lonestar
Angels - Robbie Williams
Are You Lonesone Tonight - Elvis
As Time Goes By - Perry Como
At The Hop - Danny And The Juniors
Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
Bad Moon Rising - Ccr
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
Banana Boat Song - Hary Belafonte
Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Nancy Sinatra
Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin
Blue Moon - Julie London
Blue Moon - The Marcels
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Breakfast At Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something
Bring Me Sunshine - Morecambe And Wise
Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations
But The World Goes Round - Judy Garland
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Elton John
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis
Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
Chicago - Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
Common People - Pulp
Crazy - Patsy Cline
Creep - Radiohead
Cry Me A River - Julie London
Cry Me A River - Michael Bublé
Cupid - Sam Cooke
Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas 
Devil In Disguise - Elvis
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - Marilyn Monroe
Dignity - Deacon Blue
Do You Love Me - The Contours
Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards
Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
Don’t Cha - Pussycat Dolls
Dream A Little Dream - Michael Bublé
Earth Angel - The Penguins
Eternal Flame - The Bangles
Everybody Hurts - Rem
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin
Everybody's Talkin'- Harry Nilsson
Everything I Do I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
Firework - Katy Perry
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Forget You - Cee Lo Green
Friday I'm In Love - The Cure
Gentle On My Mind - Dean Martin
Get Happy - Judy Garland
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - The Spaniels
Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Hard Day's Night - Beatles
Hard To Handle - Black Crowes
Have You Met Miss Jones - Robbie Williams
Have You Met Miss Jones - Robbie Williams
Hay Baby - Bruce Chanel
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis
Hello Dolly - Louis Armstrong
Hero - Enrique Igelsias
Hey Jude - Beatles
High Hopes - Perry Como
Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
Hound Dog - Elvis
House Of Fun - Madness
House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
I Get A Kick Out Of You - Frank Sinatra
I Got Rhythm - Ella Fitzgerald
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Tony Bennett
I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash
I'm A Believer - Monkees
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred
I’ve Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
If Tomorrow Never Comes - Ronan Keating
In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Is This The Way To Amarillo - Tony Christie
It Had To Be You - Harry Connick Jr
It Was A Very Good Year - Frank Sinatra
It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones
J Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis
Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
King Of The Road - Roger Miller
Kiss - Prince/Tom Jones
Kiss From A Rose - Seal
L.O.V.E - Nat King Cole
Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh
Lady Is A Tramp - Frank Sinatra
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams
Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole
Let's Do It - Ella Fitzgerald
Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker
Let’s Face The Music And Dance - Nat King Cole
Let’s Fall In Love - Frank Sinatra
Little Less Conversation - Elvis Vs Jxl
Little Old Wine Drinker - Dean Martin
Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
Losing My Religion - Rem
Love And Marriage - Frank Sinatra
Love Me Tender - Elvis
Luck Be A Lady - Frank Sinatra
Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
Mambo ~5 - Lou Bega
Me And My Shadow - Dean Martin
Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin
Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett
Moon River - Andy Williams
More Than Words - Extreme
Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
My Funny Valentine - Frank Sinatra
My Girl - Temptations
My Way - Frank Sinatra
Nights In White Satin - Moody Blues
Nothing Ever Happens - Del Amitri
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - Marmalade
On The Street Where You Live - Frank Sinatra
One For My Baby - Frank Sinatra
Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison
Orange Coloured Sky - Nat King Cole
Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
Pencil Full Of Lead - Paolo Nutini
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Doris Day
Poison - Alice Cooper
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
Price Tag - Jessie J
Prince Charming - Adam And The Ants
Proud Mary - Ccr
Putting On The Ritz - Fred Astaire
Que Sera Sera - Doris Day
Radio Gaga - Queen
Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley
Rock Dj - Robbie Williams
Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day
Rule The World - Take That
Runaway - Del Shannon
Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Secret Love - Doris Day
Send In The Clowns - Howard Keel
She's Not There - Zombies
She's The One - Robbie Williams
Shine - Take That
Sit Down - James
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Smile - Nat King Cole
Some Enchanted Evening - Frank Sinatra
Somebody Like You - Gotye
Someone Like You - Adele
Someone To Watch Over Me - Frank Sinatra
Somethin’ Stupid - Frank Sinatra
Soul Man - Sam & Dave
Stand By Me Ben E King
Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette
Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
Sugar Sugar - The Archies
Summer Of 69 - Bryan Adams
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
Summertime - Michael Bublé
Sunny Afternoon - Kinks
Suspicious Minds - Elvis
Sway - Dean Martin
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Sweet Dreams - Eurhythmics
Swinging On A Star - Bing Crosby
Sympathy For The Devil - Rolling Stones
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Take On Me - A-Ha
Teddy Bear - Elvis
That’s Amore - Dean Martin
That’s Life - Frank Sinatra
Theme From New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra
They Can’t Take That Away From Me - Ella Fitzgerald
Things - Bobby Darin
Ticket To Ride - Beatles
Titanium - David Guetta
To Be With You - Mr Big
Together In Electric Dreams - Phil Oakey
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
Under The Boardwalk - Drifters 
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
Valerie - Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel
Well Did You Evah - Frank Sinatra
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
When You’re Smiling - Dean Martin
Where Is The Love - Black Eyed Peas
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procul Harum
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Frank Sinatra
Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon
Why Does It Always Rain On Me - Travis
Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra
With A Little Help From My Friends - Wet, Wet, Wet
Wonderwall - Oasis
Word Up - Cameo
Yellow Submarine - Beatles
Yesterday - Beatles
You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me - Frank Sinatra
You Make Me Feel So Young - Frank Sinatra
You Really Got Me - Kinks
You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry And The Pacemakers
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

It's all about the banter. I don't just stand and sing, I engage with the audience. Blame it on my cabaret background.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I've performed all over the world from the stage of The Kings Theatre in Glasgow to the outdoor stage at Rundle Mall in Adelaide. I've performed for an audience of 5,000 at T in the Park and at intimate parties for 5 guests. I've been a guest on Al Murray's show, worked on huge celebrity comedy revues, and performed on Radio 4.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I love the crooners - Sinatra, Martin, Darin but I'm also a huge musical theatre fan and adore those acts who cross the genres. My tastes are super eclectic from Disco to Rock n Roll, Metal to Opera.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I consider all my gigs to be important and I guess "high profile" is all about your perception but the gig I'm most proud of is having played Frank N Furter in a touring production of the Rocky Horror Show.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Simply get in touch and let me know. Happy to accommodate. Please note that extending the performance time may increase the agreed fee. I'll happily add a 10min encore to a set for free but asking to extend my set further at the gig is subject to an added charge of £50 per hour/part of hour.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely! You can even request songs to be (or not to be) on the playlist. I also offer a full party DJ service for an additional £200 for up to three hours.

How much time do you need to set up?

I'd always prefer to set up at least an hour before the gig but I can do so in as little as 20mins depending on the distance from car parking to performance space. I'm usually happy to set up earlier in the day too, if that suits your event.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

I'm always happy for you to make some requests but my experience shows that clients picking the full set often doesn't lead to the best entertainment. I can judge the set by how it's being received and adjust accordingly. If you have some songs you definitely do or don't want, just let me know!

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

And more. I'll have everything I need as well as some back up equipment. All I need from you is somewhere to plug in for power.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Of course! Let me know in plenty of time (I ask at least one week per new song up to a maximum of two songs). This is also dependent on my being able to find a decent backing track. Please note that, should I need to have a backing track created, there may be an additional charge. I will inform you of this if needed.

Rufus' Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£225
Up to 1 hour£287.50
Up to 2 hours£375
Up to 3 hours£500
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£150
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£300
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£500

Add-ons

DJ set
+£200
Rufus
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5 out of 5
10 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Rufus' Reviews

From Encore customers:

CC
Carly C
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Fantastic night all round. Rufus is a complete pro, he read the room so well and had us all up dancing. Definitely would book him again.

Reply from Rufus
2 months ago

Thanks! I had a lovely time performing for everyone.

BR
Barbara R
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

We booked Rufus for our Jubilee party. He was amazing! Nothing was too much trouble and he went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a fantastic time. His singing of many different genres of music is fabulous. He engages with an audience with seamless perfection. We will definitely be booking again.

JL
James L
3 years ago
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5 out of 5

Rufus did and excellent job in creating 'Virtual Venice' occasion for a family celebration that should have been in Venice. He performed in the garden in atrocious weather conditions to an audience in cars on site and via webcam to family and friends in Australia, USA, Spain and well as the UK. His choice of music was spot on and professionally delivered in unusual circumstances. Well done Rufus !

MB
Marie-louise B
4 years ago
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5 out of 5

I booked Rufus for my mother's 80th surprise birthday party. From start to finish my experience was wonderful. Before the event he was most responsive, extremely flexible, friendly and cooperative. On the night itself he was wonderful; an excellent entertainer who sang beautifully and engaged with the audience. I could not have asked for more. I would recommend him, thoroughly and without hesitation. Thank you, Rufus!

Read all 6 reviews

From other customers:

HB
Heather B
4 years ago, for a Wedding in Loch Lomond
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5 out of 5

Did a fantastic job providing musical services for our wedding. From arranging music for the wedding ceremony, singing during the cocktail hour, and providing music for the evening reception; He helped to make our day more memorable. We still have guests tell us how much they enjoyed his singing! We’re very grateful for everything he did.

RM
Ryan M
5 years ago, for a Charity event in Partickhill Rd
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5 out of 5

We had Rufus sing at and host a charity fundraiser and he did a really special job. He did the research and was able to do a great job of conveying the charity's aims and his singing was spot on. He also did a great job of getting everyone to dig deep and donate/bid at the auction. Would recommend him for any event and we will definitely be in touch to book him again. Thank you Rufus!

Read all 6 reviews