Rick Collura

Rick Collura has long been regarded as one of Central Ohio’s finest blues guitarists. A deeply expressive player with a quiet, generous presence, he built his reputation through decades of work alongside many of the region’s leading musicians. His collaborations included performances with Willie Pooch, the Mojo Kings, the Sean Carney Band, and the Shaun Booker Band.

Collura was equally important away from the spotlight. For years he hosted local blues jams at venues including the Hey Hey Bar & Grill and J&D’s Place, giving established artists and developing players a welcoming place to share the stage. He won the Columbus Blues Challenge with Willie Pooch and represented Columbus at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Willie Pooch himself praised Collura as one of the finest musicians with whom he had worked—a fitting tribute to a guitarist whose taste, skill, and character left a lasting mark on the Columbus blues community.