Belleville's Main Street Jazz and Blues club has been sold

If all goes according to plan, the Main Street Jazz and Blues club in Belleville will be under new ownership this week. A recent article in the Belleville News-Democrat says new owners Mark Drake and Luis Ibarra are set to close the sale and take over from proprietor Neal Connors on June 5.

The story quote Connors as saying the new owners "pretty much plan to keep it the same as it has been," though they may add food service. The club has booked a interesting mix of music in the past, including the occasional national act - for example, saxophonist Eric Person played there on his trip through the St. Louis area last year. One would hope the new owners will also create a Web site for the club to make it easier for people all over the metro area to keep up with who's performing there.