MO SCARAZZO, string bass, was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He started out playing the tuba in the high school marching band, and later got into music playing in the local Italian band. He played the bass horn prior to the string bass playing one night gigs with big bands. He was influenced by Ray Brown and Eddie Gomez.
Mo moved to Las Vegas in 1956. He immediately began playing in most of the showrooms and lounges on The Strip. He has played with Louie Belson, Buddy Rich, Peter Nero, Jackie Cane & Roy Kral, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. He played the Jerry Lewis telethon at the Sahara for years and played for Elvis at the International (later named the Hilton). Mo worked with Jack Jones, Bobby Darrin, Caterina Valente, Vic Damone and many others. Mo joined the Bally’s orchestra in 1982 and was there for 14 years. Later he worked with Dean Martin and played back up for Dean on his London Tour prior to becoming the musical director at Bally’s in 1988. When the new MGM opened in 1995, Mo played gigs there for special events.
Currently, although no longer playing professionally, he enjoys music at home playing the piano and his string bass.
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