Here is some video of my favorite big band ever: the Boss Brass. They are from Toronto, and ran for something like 30 years. They recorded quite a few albums, and I think Rob's arranging is the definitive "toronto" sound.
The sound in these videos isn't so hot, but you still can make everything out. Listen to how effortlessly the lead trumpet stuff sounds. Arnie is a master of that. Also check out Guido's tone on flugel.
Rob also does something you don't see that often. He has two french horns in the band. It gives a really nice extra texture to his charts. Nowadays when we play his charts in big bands we have flugels play those lines, although you do see french horns once in a while.
I had the good fortune of studying with Rob McConnell a few times this year in various settings. He is an interesting guy to say the least.
YouTube - ROB MCCONNELL & THE BOSS BRASS 1980 TV TAKE THE A TRAIN YouTube - ROB MCCONNELL & THE BOSS BRASS 1980 TV GROOVIN' HIGH