The Mighty Clouds of Joy have been singing songs of praise for more than 50 years. With more than 30 albums and three Grammy Awards, the Mighty Clouds have earned well-deserved acclaim as one of African-American gospel’s pioneering vocal groups. Founded in the 1950s in Los Angeles, the group released its first recording, “Steal Away to Jesus,” in 1960. Appearances on “Soul Train” and tours with Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones and other secular acts helped pave the way to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, into which they were inducted in 1999. The Mighty Clouds of Joy will lift their voices in song tonight and Saturday at the Hayti Heritage Center as one of this season’s Duke Performances. www.hayti.org