Jazz and the south of France have a long and rich history together. Giants like Sidney Bechet left their mark as did the now decades Jazz a Juan-Les-Pins festival. So I was quite pleased to wander about the streets of Old Nice and hear the familiar notes of jazz standards coming from an unassuming bar, the one named "Shapko". Only days later when researching Shapko Bar did I realize it's the creative child of one Dimitri Shapko, a tenor saxophonist who has played at the Village Vanguard in NYC and other famous institutions. In fact, in retrospect I now know who the fedora wearing man was that joined in the jam session with the Denia Ridley Trio: Mr Shapko himself! The space is everything that a casual, unassuming, non-imposing, open to all jazz club should be: a low cover charge, not a bad seat in the space, great acoustics and a friendly staff. When we arrived near the midnight hour, the seating situation looked grim. Plenty of tables were occupied and the joint was jumping. Fortunately there's an upstairs seating area that gave us a bird's eye view on the jazzy proceedings. It was like being in a private booth with the musical notes as company. Alcohol is readily available, of course, as this is a bar. My mojito was acceptable and actually not bad for a musical venue: many times the drinks will be watered down at such venues but not this mojito. Ask for a carafe d'eau to stay hydrated. The bathroom door to the men's room could use some attention (and a functioning lock). That's the one minor observation for an otherwise ideal location for listening to top musical talent (and getting your drink on). I'd be a regular if I lived in the area.