- Composed a number of concert works for orchestral wind ensemble and chamber groups, as well as electronic pieces, throughout the 1970s and '80s.
- Led jazz bands in Europe during the late 1940s.
- Wrote "Sally IV" for Stan Kenton's Neophonic Orchestra in 1966.
- Played saxophone with Stan Kenton's big band when he was 16 years old.
- He contributed a piece, "Rubricity," to Red Norvo's 1957 album "Music to Listen to Red Norvo By.".
- Studied music at the University of Southern California under George Tremblay followed by private musical studies with classical composers Arthur Honegger and Darius Milhaud.
- Father was an inventor.
- He lectured on 20th century music and composing for film at both San Diego State and New Mexico State Universities.
- His 1956 album "Jazz for Moderns" featured Lennie Niehaus on alto sax, Willis Holman on tenor and Shelly Manne on drums. It was highly acclaimed as a breakthrough for applying a sophisticated compositional approach to big-band swing.
- Quinn Martin Productions added Tatro to the roster of "Invaders" composers after a recommendation by his fellow composer Richard Markowitz (The Wild Wild West (1965)).
- Despite long being associated with TV music, he was only credited for one TV series theme over his long career. He composed the theme for The Manhunter (1974), a Quinn Martin production which lasted just a single season in 1974-75.
- Served in the US Navy during World War II.
- Served for 19 years on the board of directors of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) beginning in 1998. He served as its vice president for 15 of those years.
- He was married to wife Francoise for 56 years at the time of his death in August 2020.
- With wife Francoise, he had three children, sons Tim and Mitch, and daughter Michelle, and also had six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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