Wondering where to find great jazz to usher in the New Year? There's plenty --local and national talent, on stage at the corner bar, the classy club, or concert hall. Some highlights aroud the nation:

Boston

• Regatta Bar: Nicole Nelson (David Maxwell Trio, opening act). Young rising star on the vocal scene, Nelson's roots in R&B, blues, rock and soul make an impressive blend; her band was on stage at Tanglewood this past summer. Reservations $170 include dinner, show, and dancing til 2 AM. See http://getshowtix.com/regattabar/index.shtml

• Scullers: Chris Boti. Celebrate with contemporary jazz trumpet king Chris Boti, an alum of Sting's band. Shows at 8 pm ($50) and 11 pm ($60), dinner packages available. Visit www.scullersjazz.com

Photo by Andrea Canter
Chicago

• Green Mill: Von Freeman, Edward Peterson and The Green Mill All-Stars. One of the giants of bop tenor, Freeman is the epitome of Chicago jazz, joining forces with fellow tenorman Edward Peterson and a band of Green Mill legends. Music at 9 pm, $15 cover. Contact (773) 878-5552.

• Hot House: Andy Bey. Celebrate the New Year with one of the great (if under-appreciated) masters of song. (Also at the Hot House on New Year's Day.) Sets begin at 10 pm, $75. Tickets, information at www.hothouse.net

• Jazz Showcase: David Fathead Newman and the Henry Johnson Organ Express. One of the veteran Texas Tenors, Newman is still blowing strong, and is joined by Chicago-native Henry Johnson's organ trio for a festive New Year's Eve. Information at www.jazzshowcase.com

• Symphony Center: The Count Basie Orchestra with Lizz Wright. Winners of 17 Grammy Awards, two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and one of the best big bands of all time, The Count Basie Orchestra features hot young vocalist Lizz Wright in a gala concert. Show at 10 pm, tickets $39-$110; dinner packages available. Call (312) 294-3000.

Los Angeles

• Hollywood Park Casino, Finish Line Lounge: Barbara Morrison and Freddy Cole. Soulful vocals from two dynamic veterans of jazz and blues.Ticket Master or call (310) 330-0178.

• Jazz Bakery: Ernie Andrews/Fund Raiser. The unique vocal style of Ernie Andrews can be traced to his early days with Harry James. Shows at 8:30 and 10:30 pm, $75 each or $100 for full evening; any in excess of $25 is tax-deductible.

Minneapolis/St.Paul

• Artists Quarter: Carole Martin and Irv Williams. A double whammy for St. Paul with vocalist Carole Martin's annual NY Eve bash, this year featuring sax legend Irv Williams' Quartet anchored by New York piano whiz Rick Germanson. For $22, snacks and music; reservations at www.mnjazz.com or (651) 292-1359.

• Dakota: Connie Evingson, Ginger Commodore, JoAnn Funk, Nachito Herrera. Half of Moore By Four, Evingson and Commodore are two of the reigning queens of Midwest vocal jazz, joined by pianist/vocalist JoAnn Funk and monster pianist, Cuban transplant Nachito Herrera. Hot times in the Minneapple. Reservations, $95 dinner package; www.dakotacooks.com

• Jazzmines: Charmin Michelle, Ray Covington. Early dinner sets by haunting vocalist Charmin Michelle ($50); late dinner sets with R&B vocalist Ray Covington. Information at www.jazzmines.com

• Rossi's Blue Star Room: Laura Caviani and Prudence Johnson. An all-star evening top-of-the-heap pianist Laura Caviani and her always-swinging quintet, joined by Prudence Johnson, one of the most versatile and creative vocalists around, veteran of Prairie Home Companion and salutes to Hoagy Carmichael and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Cover $85 includes dinner; reservations at www.bluestarjazz.com

New Orleans

• Snug Harbor: Astral Project. Jazz Times calls this New Orleans-based band "one of the more adventurous working units in modern jazz today." Usher in the New Year with Astral Project's blend of funky street rhythms, innovative melodies, and unique improvisation. Sets at 9 and 11 pm. Phone reservations only at (504) 949-0696. Information at www.snugjazz.com

New York City

• Birdland: Janis Siegel. Manhattan Transfer chanteuse Janis Siegel, whose Sketches of Broadway was one of the most swinging vocal releases of the year, will help ring in 2005 in the Big Apple with sets at 7 pm and 11 pm. Information and reservations at www.birdlandjazz.com

• Blue Note: Cassandra Wilson with Cephas and Wiggins. One of the premiere vocalists of her generation, the dazzling and daring Cassandra Wilson joins forces with Piedmont blues artists John Cephas (guitar) and Phil Wiggins (harmonica). Shows at 7 and 10 pm, tickets ($55 bar, $75 table) at www.bluenotejazz.com

• Iridium: Spyro Gyra. On of the most commercially successful pop jazz groups of the past two decades, Spyro Gyra fuses pop, R & B and Caribbean grooves. For their Iridium debut, SG presents three sets. For information and reservations, contact www.iridiumjazzclub.com

• Jazz Standard: Christian McBride Band with Melissa Walker. McBride, dubbed by Time Magazine as "the most promising and versatile bassist since Charles Mingus," fronts a band featuring saxman Ron Blake, sublime pianist Geoff Keezer, monster drummer Terreon Gulley, with guest vocalist Melissa Walker. First set 7:30 pm ($95) includes dinner and one hour of music; second set at 10:30 ($150) includes dinner, 90 minutes of music and champagne at midnight. Reserve at www.ticketweb.com, information at www.jazzstandard.net.

• Village Vanguard: Dr. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band of New Orleans. Ring in the New Year with a taste of Dixieland and some fleet-fingered clarinet from the master of New Orleans traditional jazz. Sets at 9:30 pm & 11:30 pm, $125 includes admission, $25.00 credit towards drinks, plus New Orleans-style finger food. Come to the early set and stay free for the late set. www.villagevanguard.com

San Francisco

• Yoshi's: Joshua Redman Elastic Band with Sam Yahel and Brian Blade. A young lion of the 1990s, Joshua Redman is one of the most gifted tenor sax players of his generation, and his bandmates—talented organist Yahel and monster drummer Blade—are no back-up acts. The Elastic Band explores groove-based electric jazz reminiscent of Weather Report with a 21^st century twist. Elastic—it will stretch your ears! One long show at 9 pm, $100, part of NPR's coast-to-coast live broadcast. See www.yoshis.com

Seattle

• Dimitriou's Jazz Alley: Ernestine Anderson and Houston Person. One of the most elegant stylists in vocal jazz, Seattle native Ernestine Anderson rarely appears in such an intimate setting. Joined by one of the last great bop tenors, Houston Person, this is a sure-win combination; recording live during sets on December 30-31. Early and late show packages, call (206) 441-9729 for reservations; see www.jazzalley.com

Washington, DC

• Blues Alley: Ahmad Jamal/Keeter Betts. Three sets with the legend of piano improvisation and composition, Jamal has no peer; nor does his trio. Master bassist Betts and his ensemble are featured at the first two sets. Early set (6:30 pm) with dinner package, $100; late set (10 pm) with dinner and champagne, $150. Early morning set (1:30 am), Ahmad Jamal Trio only, $35. No online reservations for New Year's Eve, call (202) 337-4141. Information at www.bluesalley.com

This is just a small sample of New Year's Eve jazz around the country. Check your local venues for schedules and performers, and have a great, safe and very jazzy New Year!