The Heavenly Stars, an old-school ensemble of four vocalists with back-up band, have long been international ambassadors of New Orleans-style gospel music, performing an historic repertoire whose roots reach back to slave spirituals and featuring unadorned arrangements built around classic, four-part, male harmony.

The group’s “old-time religion” has brought great joy to audiences around the globe, from Japan, where the group was featured in a Japanese TV special, to Europe and the Scandinavian countries, where The Heavenly Stars headlined a “Spirit of Louisiana” tour through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden.

The secret behind The Heavenly Stars success is simplicity – performing gospel favorites as sincerely as possible without unnecessary showmanship or pyrotechnics.

Once in a while, the group will add a slightly jazzy element, such as the chorded guitar intro to “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In” or the forceful piano accompaniment to “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” but more often The Heavenly Stars opt for the kind of understated elegance that characterizes “Oh, Happy Day,” with its extended guitar/drum intro giving way to softly articulated lyrics.

The group’s reliance on classic harmony is its greatest strength and can be heard to optimum advantage on classics like “Amazing Grace,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and especially the gorgeous, a cappella “I’m So Glad.” Equally stunning is the group’s arrangement for “Roll, Jordan, Roll,” with a bass lead vocal honoring the 1962 hit version by The Skylarks.

Simplicity, harmony, sincerity, and understated grace – for The Heavenly Stars, that equals a heavenly combination.