Formed in 2006 by two top Detroit musicians, Leo Rea, a trumpet player, and Vaughan Klugh, a guitarist, the ReaDeal Band began rehearsing with 6 players and quickly grew to a full sized 17 piece big band with 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and a rhythm section including piano, bass, drums, and guitar.  Their first opportunity to play in public was at Bert’s Marketplace in the Eastern Market area of Detroit, where they performed many times, with several top Detroit area singers, including Gary Sacco and Joan Crawford.  The band continued to perform at many venues in the metro area, including various clubs, and several  outdoor parks during the summer. With the passing of Leo Rea in October of 2012, the band members decided to continue playing the fine music book that Leo had assembled and began rehearsing at the Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills, under the leadership first, of Wally Fitz, and later, John Hammer.