The week's best Twin Cities jazz: Pharoah Sanders, the Claudettes at Vieux Carré

Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders helped John Coltrane blow the house down in the late '60s, then released a string of discs on the Impulse label that were by turns gorgeous and turbulent, imbued with gospel fervor and spiritual mysticism. Forty years later he remains a vital presence with seemingly boundless energy and a signature, instantly recognizable horn sound. His quartet includes longtime cohort William Henderson on piano and a top-notch rhythm section of Johnathan Blake on drums and Nat Reeves on bass. (7 and 9 p.m. Wed., Dakota, Mpls.; $25-$45, dakotacooks.com)

Shifting Paradigm Records has had an impressive batting average for its releases in recent years. The label's reputation for refined straight-ahead jazz is further bolstered by "The Living Room Sessions," an album from a quartet led by composers Aaron Hedenstrom on sax and Gabe Evens on piano, with Jack Helsley and Matt Young in the rhythm section. The foursome will stage a celebratory gig the night before the album's official release. It also appears to be the swan song for Thursday night jazz at Reverie. (9 p.m. Thu., Reverie, Mpls.; free, thursday nightjazzatreverie.info)

The Joe Policastro Trio realigns pop culture into compelling yet still accessible jazz. After tackling rock songs on their first albums, they've turned their attention to soundtracks and theme songs on the forthcoming "Screen Sounds." That includes music from movie classics such as "The Godfather" and "Blade Runner" to the soap opera theme for "The Young and the Restless" and the comedy "Taxi." Bassist Policastro is especially evocative. And his trio mates — guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery — handle the material with the right blend of respect and insouciance. (9:30 p.m. Mon., Icehouse, Mpls.; $12, icehouse.com)

The Claudettes are a skewed cabaret band of jazz, blues and rockabilly leanings, lampooning convention with a collection of snarky-cool tunes, a cadre of drag queens and a sensibility that feels equal parts James Dean and David Lynch. The new lineup from the Chicago-based outfit has Berit Ulseth on lead vocals, but leader/keyboardist Johnny Iguana remains the abiding musical force. The tunes range from the caffeinated "Taco Night Material" and "Influential Farmers" to an airy version of the standard "Our Day Will Come." (8 p.m. Tue., Vieux Carré, St. Paul; $12, vieux-carre.com)

Britt Robson