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Mohini Dey is a prodigious bass player with a busy schedule. Along with her obvious talents on the bass guitar, she’s a noteworthy producer and vocalist with a unique sense of rhythm and style. Dey has collaborated with some of the biggest names in modern music, from Indian superstars like A.R. Rahman and Zakir Hussain to Steve Vai, Quincy Jones, and Jordan Rudess. Unlike most session musicians, however, she’s also a star in her own right. Mohini Dey has over 20 million YouTube views and more than 700,000 followers across Instagram and Facebook combined.
Mohini Dey was recently named Forbes India’s Most Successful Musician Under 30. She’s also the only female bassist to make Music Radar’s Top 10 Bassists of the 21st Century. Recent performances have only boosted her fame, including NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and a recent North American tour with Willow Smith. Let’s learn more about this amazing young woman and her extraordinary musical journey.
Early story
Mohini Dey was born and raised as a Bengali girl in Mumbai, the most populous city in India. She grew up surrounded by music, with her mother trained in classical and her father working as a bass player. He was a local session musician, and he recognized his daughter’s talent at an early age. The young Mohini Dey was given bass lessons at the age of 3, which set her up for a wonderful future career. After a few years playing her dad’s beloved instrument, Mohini was given her own bass at age 9.
The young girl fell in love with her instrument and quickly became a prodigy. Her father helped her understand the principles of music, from timbre and scale to groove, melody, and arrangement. By the age of 11, she was giving performances to small audiences around Mumbai. Having grown up in a musical family, with a father who nurtured her talents, it didn’t take long for Mohini Dey to get noticed. Her father’s friend, film composer and jazz drummer Ranjit Barot, took Mohini under his wing. He took her on tour and helped her connect with jazz composer and producer Louis Banks.
Rising star
Mohini Dey first appeared on record at the tender age of 14. Established musicians loved her youthful energy, and she spent more and more time in the studio. During these formative years, Dey learned jazz skills from some of the biggest names in the business. Louis Banks became her mentor. The ‘godfather of Indian jazz’ taught her music theory and playing techniques. This was a massive accomplishment for Mohini and the close-knit Dey family, who had battled sexism from their relatives regarding Mohini’s musical direction.
Dey listened closely to bass legends like Abraham Laboriel and Mark King, but she also learned to think outside the box. From an early age, she understood the importance of being a good listener. To develop better skills as a bass player, Dey learned to appreciate nuances in other styles of music. While she was studying jazz notation and memorizing session songs, she was also emulating unique phrases from the tabla. Dey enjoys a special relationship with percussion, often transcribing drum sounds and patterns into bass slaps, plucks, and ghost notes.
Musical Collaborators
For such a young woman, Mohini Dey has collaborated with some amazing musicians. Some of the Indian stars she’s worked with include the late tabla player Zakir Hussain, the percussionist Anandan Sivamani, and the film composer and producer A. R. Rahman.
Dey also caught the attention of musicians from Europe and the United States. Since getting popular on social media, she has collaborated with guitar superstar Steve Vai, German drummer Marco Minnemann, American keyboard player Jordan Rudess, American guitarist Jason Richardson, and Indonesian composer and guitarist Dewa Budjana.
While Dey has worked with people from across the musical spectrum, most of her contacts come from the international jazz and classical Indian music scenes. In a recent interview with Dey, YouTuber and musician Rick Beato said, “What makes her style so interesting is the way she merges her Indian musical roots with rock, funk, jazz, and metal.”
Debut album
In recent years, Mohini Dey has embraced her own music vision. While she still collaborates with others, her self-titled debut album was released in August 2023. This record was made with her husband at the time, saxophonist Mark Hartsuch. It was also made with drummer Gino Banks, the son of Dey’s mentor, jazz musician Louis Banks. This album blends together a wide range of musical elements, from rock and jazz to R&B, funk, and Indian Carnatic rhythms. This debut release is an absolute triumph for Dey, who creates a cohesive sound with a strong emotional and physical presence.
According to Mohini Dey, the record is designed as a linear album, not just another collection of songs: “The order of the songs was intentionally designed to give listeners at home the sensation of attending my live show. I have played with some of the greatest musicians from many different genres, so it was important to me to feature them on my album doing what they do best. This music is a representation of my life’s journey, and I hope that all of you will enjoy this musical adventure that I’ve curated.”
Wait a Minute! by Willow Smith
Despite focusing on her own music, Mohini Dey always finds time to work with other artists. She features prominently on “Wait a Minute!” by Willow Smith, a great track with a very long history. Smith originally wrote this tune for her 2015 debut album, Ardipithecus. It didn’t gain traction until many years later, in 2019, as one of the first viral TikTok songs. A remix of “Wait a Minute!” also came out in 2022, and once again, it got lots of positive attention on social media.
The current version of this song that’s doing the rounds on social media stars Mohini Dey. On this live bass cam clip, viewers get to see Dey’s playing technique up close and personal. This recording was taken when Smith opened for Coldplay, with Dey a valuable member of the live band. You can also see Dey in action during Willow Smith’s Tiny Desk Concert presented by NPR, which features “Wait a Minute!” alongside “Symptom of Life”, “Split”, “Run!”, and “Big Feelings.”
“Wait a Minute!” is a captivating song with an introspective and dreamy musical quality. It successfully blends youthful emotions with ethereal vocals and tight neo-funk grooves. Lyrically, this song offers insight into Willow Smith’s childhood, including her early relationship with spirituality. The live bass cam version of this song is all about the funk, which Mohini Dey delivers in perfect style.
Upcoming concerts
If you want to see this modern bass marvel in action, Mohini Dey has some shows on the horizon. Whether she’s playing with Willow Smith, laying down grooves for Steve Vai, or playing with her own band, she always delivers a fantastic concert experience.
The following shows are listed in 2025, with more sure to be announced over the coming weeks:
- July 9 at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, UK
- July 22 at Dakota in Minneapolis, MN, USA
- November 7 at Theater Heerlen in Heerlen, Netherlands
To discover more of the wonderful Mohini Dey, stream her music, check her socials, or explore her website. Whether you’re a seasoned bass lover or just a fan of great music, Mohini Dey’s raw talent and infectious energy is impossible to ignore.